Construction work for the 2012 Olympics is in full swing

Construction work at the Olympic Games site is proceeding at full speed. London’s city leaders and the organisers of the 2012 summer event are determined to deliver the best Games ever. It is an ambitious goal, one that will particularly benefit visitors to the event. But the main site is still one enormous construction zone, and the time left before the flame is lit is running short.

After London was awarded the right to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2005, celebrations began across the city. Back then, plans for creating the Olympic landscape were still a long way off. But for several years now, construction has been proceeding energetically behind the scenes in London. Although there is no danger that the work will not be completed on time, the organisers still have to stick to tight schedules. After all, only one summer remains before athletes from all over the world gather on the Thames to celebrate the greatest spectacle on Earth.
One particularly difficult challenge for the planners was building an Olympic city on just two square kilometres in the heart of the city. Beijing, Athens, Sydney and Atlanta had many times that area at their disposal. Taking Barcelona as their example—the city had also managed to host the Games in a small urban area while still making a big impression—London laid the foundations for its sporting venues. But first, existing buildings had to be cleared from the site and relocated. As London continues to grow, preparing the area for construction proved to be almost a masterstroke.

Previously, the Olympic site had been in use, but mostly as a rubbish dump, and had not made any real contribution to the cityscape. The attractions are therefore intended to remain in use after the Olympic Games as well. As a result, the north-east of the city will take on a new look. London’s sports clubs can look forward to excellent facilities. Everything has been designed so that it can continue to be used with ease. Sustainability is also one of the central principles of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.