Breaking news: Abseilling workers top off the 2012 stadium

22 July 2010

On top of the World of sport: high-wire workers put finishing touches to Olympic Stadium

IT took a team of expert abseilers to lay the 45,000 of sq.m of canvas but today the iconic 2012 Olympic stadium has now has its completed roof.

These new aerial images from the Olympic Delivery Authority show the last of 112 panels of material being stretched over the super structure at the Games site in Stratford.

A bird's eye view of the stadium today

The cover promises to create the correct conditions on the field of play for athletes and provide protection for two-thirds of spectators.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "The Olympic Stadium is the most visible symbol of the huge progress that has been made on the construction of the Olympic Park and the infrastructure which is transforming east London."

He said the multi-billion pound project remains on track and within budget and construction of the major venues will be complete by next summer.

Around 10,000 workers are on site building the Olympic Park and athletes' village

Construction on the stadium started in May 2008. With the roof in place, work has begun on the fit-out of the 700 rooms and spaces within the venue, including fitting toilets and tiling showers in the changing rooms