IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald visited London’s 2012 Olympic velodrome today, as work was completed on the 250 metre track. The velodrome, which will have a total of 6000 seats, is still on target to become the first of the Olympic venues to be completed, early in the new year.
"Every visit to the Olympic Park provides us with yet another impressive sign of the progress that is being made here and today's visit is no exception,” said Oswald. “As an amateur cyclist, it's fantastic to see the finished track in London's new velodrome.
“I'm sure that athletes like Chris Hoy will love competing here in 2012,” he added, “and that future generations of cyclists, like the two youngsters with us today, will be inspired to continue cycling thanks to the quality of the facilities that will be available to them in legacy.”
Also present at the ceremony were Olympic Development Authority chairman John Armitt, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) chair Sebastian Coe, as well as a number of local cyclists.
“Completing the Velodrome track is another significant milestone,” said Armitt, “keeping the venue on course to be completed early next year and showing the good progress we continue to make across the Olympic Park. Seeing the Velodrome track in place gives us an exciting glimpse of where we hope new records will be broken in 2012 and where a new generation of cyclists will be able to take to the track after the Games.”
The Siberian pine track is now complete and the external cladding of the building, using Western Red Cedar, is also well under way. Work is now starting to install the seating and complete the infield, track centre, area and the changing room facilities.
“This will be a world class track in 2012 producing world class performances,” said Coe. “I’m thrilled to be visiting the venue with two enthusiastic young people who are passionate about the Games and two local cyclists who are excited about using the Velodrome after the Games. We’ve always stated we wanted to use the power of the Games to inspire young people to choose sport and hopefully today’s visit will inspire them even more.”
The completion of the track has been performed by a team of 26 specialist carpenters over the past eight weeks. Siberian pie is used because the trees are known for growing straight and tall, and the cold climate in Siberia means that the timber is very stable and will not shrink or contract in the environmental conditions of the velodrome.