Sports | Queen Elizabeth Olympic I


n just 18 months since the 2012 London Olympic Games were staged in Stratford, East London, the London Legacy


development corporation has led the transformation of the former Olympic park into London’s newest park with grasslands, waterways, world-class sporting venues, arts and events.


When the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park opened its doors to the public on April 5th, visitors were able to see the south of the park for the first time since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Designed by James Corner Field operations, who created the High Line in New York, the south of the park has a new tree-lined promenade with 100 trees strung with globe lighting, interactive water fountains and an adventure playground and four themed walking trails which take people on a journey around the key sights of the London 2012 games covering arts and culture, biodiversity, 2012 and family fun. At 560 acres, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the same size as Hyde Park and Kensington


Gardens combined, and is expected to attract thousands of visitors with the creation of over 20,000 jobs. Over 40 per cent of the peak transformation workforce was from the neighbouring boroughs and over 60 apprentices helped transform the park, the highest number on a single site in 2013. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London,


said: ‘The opening of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks an historic chapter in London’s post- Olympic story. Our city’s newest park is crammed with spectacular attractions and activities set in acres of stunning green spaces. This is now a must-see destination for Londoners and visitors alike and forms a glittering centrepiece for our ambitious regeneration plans in Stratford and beyond.”


Iconic sporting venues The park has five iconic sporting


venues for both community and elite use – London Aquatics Centre, the Copper box Arena, Lee Valley Velo Park, the Stadium and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Designed by internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the


London Aquatics Centre is one of the most recognisable venues from the Games with its unique wave- like roof. It opened its doors in March and now the venue houses two 50 metre swimming pools. The Games’ time competition pool will be available for lane and fitness swimming. A 50 metre training pool will be available for family sessions, fun sessions with inflatables and swimming lessons. There is also a 25 metre diving pool with boards and platforms up to 10 metres, a dry diving zone, a state-of-the-art 50-station gym and café. The venue, which is operated by Charitable Social Enterprise, GLL, will play host to a variety of activities. Swimming sessions will cost as little as £3.50, the same as a swim in any other local pool, there will be swimming and diving lessons, and inclusive community sessions. The venue also has an innovative lift mechanism called a ‘Poolpod’ for people who require mobility assistance. In addition to community swimming, the Aquatics Centre will host a range of national and international events including


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ISSUE 01 | GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY 2014 129


IMAGES: DAVID POULTNEY AND ANTHONY CHARLTON FOR THE LLDC


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