London 2012 velodrome will be first of big build to be complete

THE London 2012 velodrome looks set to be the first venue complete for the Olympic Games.

BIG BUILD: The London 2012 veldrome looks set to be the first of the big build venues to be completed (Locog)

The velodrome in Stratford, east London was one of the last London 2012 venues to go under construction in March 2009 but the Olympic Delivery Authority revealed they expect in to be completed by early 2011, ensuring it would be the first to be finished.

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: "The completion of the Velodrome steel structure gives us an exciting glimpse of what will not only be a world-class venue for the Games and legacy, but another striking piece of architecture for the Olympic Park.

"The Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre are already firm fixtures on the east London skyline, but the Velodrome taking shape has created a new focal point in the north of the Olympic Park.

"This year will be the toughest so far across the site, and we now turn our attentions to the lifting of the huge cable-net roof of the Velodrome, a key engineering challenge, which will help crown this spectacular venue."

Steel work on the 6000-seat venue is now complete and installation of its distinctive double-curved cable roof has now begun.

After the Games, the Velodrome will be used by elite athletes and the local community and will include a cafe, bike hire and cycle workshop facilities.