Chairman of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and Olympic medallist Frank Fredericks, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chairman John Armitt, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Seb Coe were on hand to help lay the last piece of turf at the flagship venue.
The event was also attended by IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald and IOC Executive Director Gilbert Felli, alongside local schoolchildren from the ODA’s Construction Crew.
Construction started on the Stadium just under three years ago in May 2008 and has been completed on time, under budget and with an exemplary safety record. More than 240 UK businesses have won contracts for the construction of the Stadium and more than 5,250 people have worked on the project during that time.
The final surface of the running track will be laid later this year by LOCOG. This is to ensure it is protected during the programme of temporary works at the venue including work for Opening and Closing Ceremonies that may need cranes and could damage the track.
ODA Chairman John Armitt said: ‘The Olympic Stadium has been finished on time and under budget. To complete a complicated project such as this in less than three years is testament to the skill and professionalism of the UK construction industry.
‘I would like to thank the Team Stadium consortium and all of the workers for their hard work and commitment. It is thanks to them that we can today celebrate this huge milestone for the London 2012 project and be proud of what can be achieved by UK plc.’
The turf was grown in Scunthorpe from a special blend of perennial rye grass, smooth stalk meadow grass and fescue grass seeds. A total of 360 rolls of turf were required to cover the 9,000sq m area.
