Olympic Delivery Programme published as Stadium tender is launched with athletics at its heart

A brief for the Stadium has been published, which outlines the concept of London's Olympic Stadium as a spectacular 80,000 seat venue for the Games to host the track and field events and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. After the Games it will reduce in size but retain the capacity to stage Athletics events, but also with the potential to host different activities such as concerts, cultural, community and other sporting events as a 'Living Stadium' in the heart of the Lower Lea Valley.

In parallel with the procurement process a major review is being conducted looking at the best mix of facilities and uses post-Games with potential users and owners, underlining the integration of legacy and Games planning that is at the heart of the 2012 project.

Changes have been made to the 2004 outline timetable for some venues to ensure the most efficient use of resources. They will be completed in time for test events at least one year from the Games but not so early that they sit vacant for extended periods prior to 2012 incurring maintenance costs. It also reflects the need for a coordinated construction programme across the whole Olympic Park involving multiple venues in a secure environment.

David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said: "As the Stadium brief makes clear we are seeking an integrated team that can combine design innovation with construction excellence to create a stage fit for the Olympians and Paralympians of 2012. We also want to create a 'Living Stadium' post-Games that can be at the heart of the new community that will live in this area."

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee, said: "The Olympic Stadium will be the centrepiece of the Olympic Park. It must showcase the world's best athletes for the best Games ever, but also be capable of being used for decades to come by the local community as a living legacy from the 2012 Games."

The start of the Stadium procurement process coincided with the publication today by the ODA of the Olympic Park Delivery Programme. It sets out an indicative timetable for the delivery of venues. It is essentially a '2-4-1' process, with two years to plan, four years to build, and one year to test and commission the facilities.

David Higgins continued: "This is our delivery route map to 2012. I recognise it is a bold move setting out indicative target dates that we can be measured against but it is important that we are transparent and accountable. It is a timetable that is challenging but achievable and one that will require a relentless focus on delivery, timely decision-making and sound project management over the next six years.

"Some dates have moved. This reflects our ongoing detailed planning and project management. It makes little strategic sense to have venues completed and vacant for several years before the Games when people cannot use them as there will be no access to the secure Olympic Park construction site and additional maintenance costs would be incurred."

Sebastian Coe added: "The integrated design and construction approach in our planning reduces risk and potential cost over-runs. It will ensure that venues are ready not just in time for the Games, but also for test events. This means that operators of venues will gain vital experience in how venues perform. This will allow us to fine tune the venues to provide the best experience for athletes and spectators alike."

Notes to Editors

Download the Olympic Park Delivery Programme leaflet (PDF, 1MB)

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