Today I had the privilege of being on the Olympic Park to mark two years to go to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. It was my first time on the Park since 2008 and it has literally transformed since then – so congratulations to all London 2012 staff on a job well done so far.
I was on the panel responsible for the design of the Velodrome, and it’s really encouraging to see how closely they’ve stuck to the original plans, down to every last detail.
In my opinion, this Velodrome will be the best the world ever seen. It has lots of design features that will ensure cyclists have the best possible environment in which to compete. These include regulated temperature, natural light, amenities near to the track (so we don’t have to trek across the Velodrome to go to the toilet!) and seating that goes all the way around the track – creating an atmosphere similar to a gladiatorial arena!
Being on the Park today was a real honour and I got a really good feeling for the place. I am constantly thinking about the Olympic Games in my training. It’s really exciting for me – both as an athlete and as a lifelong Olympics fan.
Competing on home soil in front of the UK public will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. London 2012 will definitely be my last Games, but I am really looking forward to going out on a high!
