LONDON 2012: Michael Johnson is beaten in Olympic Stadium

By Sportsbeat staff

 FOUR-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has lifted the curtain on the London 2012 Olympic Stadium - but he ended up on the losing side in the first race to be witnessed in the arena.

FRONT RUNNER: Michael Johnson competes in the first race in the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, but the four-time Olympic champion is beaten (Getty Images)

Johnson christened the Olympic Stadium with a race against a number of children from the five host boroughs - and the 43-year-old eight-time world champion met his match in Stratford.

"It's great to be in this stadium and you can envisage what it's going to be like during the Games.

"I was fortunate enough to experience competing at a home Games when Atlanta were hosts in 1996 and people in London are going to experience a fantastic Olympics.

In the weeks ahead we'll get used to these landmark Olympic dates. Two years to go, 500 days to go, one year to go, one month to go....the list goes on and on with each accompanied by some positive news and powerful imagery. Latest London 2012 column by Sportsbeat's James Toney

The 80,000 seater stadium will host the athletics events as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics.

What happens to the stadium after the Games remains a point for debate however, with the Olympic Park Legacy Company yet to announce who will assume control of the arena.

West Ham United FC have expressed an interest in moving into the stadium and yesterday claimed they had first refusal when the OPLC have considered all applications.