The Eton College Rowing Centre, at Dorney Lake, will host Flatwater Canoeing and Kayak as well as the Rowing events during the Games. The 2,200m course has a separate return lane, recently constructed to international standards.

The existing eight-lane venue is being enhanced with a new bridge to help spectators access viewing areas.

The competition lane and the return lane are being linked by a new strip of water allowing athletes to move between the two lakes more easily. A road leading up to the venue is also being upgraded to support construction vehicles working on site.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: ‘Eton Dorney is a world-class venue, already established internationally, and will provide a stunning backdrop for Olympic and Paralympic events in 2012. This is the UK’s Games and it is good to see the search start for a company to enhance such an impressive venue outside London.’

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