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Take a seat for first look inside Olympic stadium
Matthew Beard11 Mar 2009
Work on the Olympic stadium has reached a milestone as the seating is installed.
Built by Sir Robert McAlpine with architects HOK - the team behind Arsenal's Emirates stadium - it will employ 1,000 workers.
Construction work began last spring, three months ahead of schedule, after 33 buildings on the site were demolished and diggers moved in to clear 800,000 tonnes of soil to form the bowl-shaped arena.
It is made from 10,000 tonnes of steel, which means it is the lightest Olympic stadium to date, reducing costs and making it easier to dismantle from 80,000 to 25,000 seats afterwards. The structure will rise 53 metres -slightly higher than Nelson's Column - with a 900 metre circumference. This will be surrounded by a 20metre-high fabric wrap emblazoned with images of Olympic greats.
Lighting gantries are being installed on the roof, which will cover most of the 80,000 spectators and spread over 24,500 square metres, the size of three and half football pitches. The south stand is almost complete as workers fit the last of the concrete "rakers" on to which the plastic seating will be fitted.
Also taking shape is the west stand which will host the VIPs and media with the best views of the 100metre "home straight" beneath them.
The cost of the stadium has risen to almost £550million. But ministers insist this is a "worst case scenario" and the final bill may be less.
Games chiefs have been in talks with the bidders for the 2016 Olympics who may be able to buy the 55,000 demountable seats in the upper tier after the Games. Last month the "legacy plan" for the stadium was unveiled. After 2012 it will comprise a secondary sports school and host athletics events.
Reader views (11)
Built with jobs for immigrants!
- Peter Noterfed, paris, France, 12/03/2009 12:20
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Who cares about this anyway? It will all be demolished once the games are over and done with and we taxpayers will be paying through the nose for it until we drop.
- John Buckeridge, London, 12/03/2009 11:26
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I happened to run unto the Mayor of Newham (as you do) in a bar on the edge of the Royal Victoria Dock. I sugested that the 5 November 2011 fireworks should be in the Olympic Stadium as a test event instead of on Wanstead Flats. I almost believed that he hadn't already thought of it himself....
- Alan Griffiths, Forest Gate, LONDON. UK, 11/03/2009 22:48
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Who cares. A bottomless pit just outside of central London.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 11/03/2009 18:17
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One could forgive the simple, functional and temporary design of the stadium, if it was for effective legacy use in perpetuity after the 2 weeks of games usage. Sorry, but a secondary sports school and hosting future athletics events which draw c 1000- 2000 avg crowds is a massive missed opportunity for the half a billion of tax payers money being spent.
- Mike, london, 11/03/2009 16:12
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No doubt given that its still 3 years away (if it happens at all, hope not) it will give the suppliers more money to replace the ones damaged by vandals etc in this period or they find that the Sun,Rain,Snow or whatever has damaged them so will need replacing again at another vast fee paid for by us taxpayers.
- Mike, London England, 11/03/2009 14:48
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I am not interested. Stretford is a dump now and it still will be after these Olympic 2 weeks show is gone.
- Georgie, Islington, London, 11/03/2009 14:06
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A few weeks of fun in 2012 then what? The Romans used to keep the ordinary plebs happy with bread and circuses. A lot of money is going into this. I hope its wothwhile. The Olympic games and bailing out bankrupt banks. How on earth will the country afford it. The poor old workers like me will see out taxes go up. How about reduced tickets for London taxpayers who are partly funding the games!
- Jim, London, 11/03/2009 12:16
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As I have a vested interest being a taxpayer,I'm less than impressed,but then I was dead against these games in this city from the outset.
- Steve, London, 11/03/2009 11:40
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I'm amazed how fast this stadium has gone up, kudos to 2012 organisers. At this rate we could host the Games a year early!
- Darren, London, 11/03/2009 10:35
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Only the best for the VIPs and Media who get in free. Only the worst for the rest paying to get and from Tax and Council tax.
- Dave, London England, 11/03/2009 09:39
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