London 2012 organizers have transformed a neglected area of the East End into a green and sustainable Olympic Park.
London's Olympic Park goes for green —
London 2012 organizers have transformed a neglected area of the East End into a green and sustainable Olympic Park.
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After winning the bid to host the Games back in 2005, work began on clearing the brownfield site full of derelict land and dilapidated buildings -- more than 200 were demolished to make way for the Olympic Park, say organizers.
After winning the bid to host the Games back in 2005, work began on clearing the brownfield site full of derelict land and dilapidated buildings -- more than 200 were demolished to make way for the Olympic Park, say organizers.
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The venues, like the velodrome pictured here in the background, blend into the landscaped parkland creating a number of striking vistas.
The venues, like the velodrome pictured here in the background, blend into the landscaped parkland creating a number of striking vistas.
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More than 4,000 trees, 74,000 plants and 300,000 wetland plants have been used on 500-acre site.
More than 4,000 trees, 74,000 plants and 300,000 wetland plants have been used on 500-acre site.
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All the venues have been constructed with sustainablity in mind. The 2012 basketball arena (pictured) is one of several temporary venues erected for the duration of the Games. In total, there will be almost 300,000 temporary spectator seats, a figure without precedent at the Olympics, organizers say.
All the venues have been constructed with sustainablity in mind. The 2012 basketball arena (pictured) is one of several temporary venues erected for the duration of the Games. In total, there will be almost 300,000 temporary spectator seats, a figure without precedent at the Olympics, organizers say.
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The aquatic center, designed by British architect Zaha Hadid, is another venue with temporary seating. After the Games it's "wings" will be removed shrinking the capacity from 15,000 to 2,500 as it turns into a facility for the local community.
The aquatic center, designed by British architect Zaha Hadid, is another venue with temporary seating. After the Games it's "wings" will be removed shrinking the capacity from 15,000 to 2,500 as it turns into a facility for the local community.
The Olympic Stadium is the lightest ever constructed, say organizers, weighing 10 times less than Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium.
The Olympic Stadium is the lightest ever constructed, say organizers, weighing 10 times less than Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium.
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The Olympic Village -- Victory Park -- will play host to around 17,000 athletes and officials during the Games. The complex includes 10,000-square meters of green roof.
The Olympic Village -- Victory Park -- will play host to around 17,000 athletes and officials during the Games. The complex includes 10,000-square meters of green roof.
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With just days to go until the opening ceremony, organizers have cut Olympic rings into the grass in Richmond Park, south-west London, further promoting the green ambitions of the Games. David Stubbs, head of sustainability for London 2012 said: "If you can put sustainability at the heart of a project which is the largest logistical exercise in peace time ... then you can do it anywhere."
With just days to go until the opening ceremony, organizers have cut Olympic rings into the grass in Richmond Park, south-west London, further promoting the green ambitions of the Games. David Stubbs, head of sustainability for London 2012 said: "If you can put sustainability at the heart of a project which is the largest logistical exercise in peace time ... then you can do it anywhere."
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