Matthew visited the Olympic site in East London to see for himself the progress that is being made for the London 2012 Games. He viewed the Stadium, the Velodrome, the Aquatics Centre, the Energy Centre and the Athletes’’ Village.
Over the past three years the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has set out in advance the milestones it planned to achieve for different phases of the project. The first 10 milestones – known as ‘Demolish, Dig, Design’ – focused on preparing the site for the main construction. The second 10 were the first phase of construction – ‘The Big Build: Foundations’, putting in place the foundations of the main venues and infrastructure in the Olympic Park. These were followed by the next phase – ‘The Big Build: Structures’. These milestones have been underpinned by five priority themes: design and accessibility, equality and inclusion, health and safety, legacy and sustainability.
Setting these milestones has provided the foundations for the delivery of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the legacy beyond. All these milestones have now been achieved and - one year from the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games - the project is on track and within budget.
Matthew said: “Whilst I maintain that the Olympics should have been paid for at a national level, it is pleasing to see the progressive stages being reached. The site is a magnificent spectacle and will make this country proud next year. I am particularly pleased the site will provide the largest new urban park in 100 years after the Games and will allow the River Lee to be opened up to the public.”
Photo: Matthew standing in front of the Olympic Stadium with Canary Wharf in the background