British firms make an Olympic clean sweep

The recent contract award to ISG InteriorExterior for the London 2012 velodrome means UK firms have made a clean sweep of the three main venues for the Olympic Games.

Sir Robert McAlpine has the main stadium contract, while Balfour Beatty has the aquatics centre deal.

The velodrome will feature 12,000 seats – 6,000 of which will remain in the building’s legacy use after the Olympics. It will host all track cycling events, alongside another track for BMX events.

Preliminary work is already under way on site to create a platform for ISG to start building work.

The velodrome

Planning permission has also recently been granted to the aquatics centre and construction of this iconic structure, designed by Zaha Hadid and Arup, is due to start this summer.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins, said: “This planning decision keeps us on track to start construction of this Olympic venue and community and elite swimming and diving facility that London desperately needs.”

During the Games the 17,500-seat aquatics centre will host swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo.

After the Games the temporary seating will be demounted, leaving a 2,500 seat swimming venue for both elite competition and local community use.