The Olympic Stadium
The stadium that hosted both the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 and the Rugby World Cup in 2015 will eventually become home to West Ham United football club. The truth is that the Olympic Stadium is never idle and is continually hosting sporting events and concerts of all kinds. The original design, however, has undergone some changes. For example, the removable circular roof has been demolished in order to extend it a little further. The plan is also to reduce the number of seats from 80,000 to 54,000. And while on the subject of seats... those of the Olympic Stadium have raised a few eyebrows, and are now a real luxury item. Yes, you heard it right. If we divide the 635-million-euro cost of the Stadium among the 80,000 seats, the result is almost 8000 euros per seat, making them the most expensive of any Olympic venue.
The London Aquatics Centre
The famous, award-winning Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, who died on the 31st of March, 2016, was responsible for the design of the Aquatics Centre, the most spectacular facilities commissioned for the Games. Hadid was inspired by the flow of water in motion, and his design is characterized by the 160-metre-long corrugated roof, which is supported at just three points, rising and falling like a giant wave. This is one of the last works of the architect, who died on the 31st of March, 2016, leaving behind an important legacy.
The Pavilion is now open to the public, with its two 50 m pools and 25-metre diving pool. It also features a fully-equipped ultra-modern gymnasium, a cafeteria, and even a kindergarten. Swimming lessons are also available, and even scuba diving lessons for the more adventurous.
During the games the Aquatics Centre hosted swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, Paralympic swimming and the swimming stage of the modern pentathlon.
Lee Valley VeloPark
The Lee Valley velodrome, another essential architectural element of the park, is designed for the practice of both track and mountain biking as well as speed racing and BMX. All under one roof. It is the only facility in the world that offers the four existing Olympic disciplines and occupies a space equivalent to 17 football fields. And of course, being the London Games, it is energy self-sufficient.
The Copper Box Arena
The Copper Box Arena was the first facility in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to open to the public. It is currently home to the London Lions basketball team, and its ability to accommodate up to 7000 spectators has made it a major multi-purpose centre that has hosted almost as many concerts as it has basketball games. In addition, it also offers a public gymnasium, a sports centre and a cafeteria.
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is the only facility on the planet that offers both disciplines in the same space. The European Hockey Championship was held in these facilities in 2015.
