Construction started on the £537 million ($836 million) Olympic Stadium just under three years ago in May 2008 and has been completed on time and under budget with 240 UK businesses having won contracts for the construction of the Stadium and over 5,250 people having worked on the project.

The final surface of the running track will be laid later this year by London 2012 to ensure that it is protected during the programme of temporary overlay which includes work for Ceremonies which may need cranes in the field of play that could damage the track.

Coe said: "The Olympic Stadium will be the beating heart of the new Olympic Park and it is testament to the fantastic work put in by Team Stadium and the Olympic Delivery Authority that construction is complete on time and within budget.

"However there is still much to do.

"We now come in and do some work in preparation of ceremonies, to dress the stadium to ensure it has a London 2012 feel throughout and of course, the final touch - to lay the track."


Fredericks, who claimed four silver Olympic medals in a glittering career as a sprinter, said: "Athletes that have spent a lifetime training for their Olympic dream deserve to be able to achieve it in the best possible conditions.

"I believe that those competing here in 2012 will not be disappointed.

"I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the construction of London's Olympic stadium for producing a truly outstanding sporting arena.

"When filled with fans at Games time, I am certain that the atmosphere will drive many of the competitors to achieve new personal bests and create unique moments of Olympic history."

Coe and Fredericks were joined in the Stadium by IOC Coordination Commission chairman Denis Oswald and IOC Executive Director Gilbert Felli, who are part of the eighth IOC Coordination Commission visit to London which officially gets underway tomorrow, while Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman John Armitt, British 400 metres hurdles Olympic bronze medallist Tasha Danvers and local schoolchildren from the ODA's construction crew were also on hand.

Armitt said: "The Olympic Stadium has been finished on time and under budget.

"To complete a complicated project such as this in less than three years is testament to the skill and professionalism of the UK construction industry."

The turf laid at the Olympic Stadium has been grown in Scunthorpe from a special blend of Perennial Rye Grass, Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass and Fescue Grass seeds with a total of 360 rolls of turf were required to cover the 9,000m² infield area.

The Stadium, which will host the London 2012 Opening and Closing ceremonies as well as the athletics track and field events will have an 80,000 capacity in Games mode and is visible across the Park from all approaches.

It will contain around 10,000 tonnes of steel and therefore be the lightest Olympic Stadium to date although it still stands at 60 metres in height above the field of play and the has a perimeter of 860 metres.


Oswald said: "What a fantastic stadium.

"As host of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, this arena will provide the first and last memories that many people will have of London 's Games and I have no doubt that it will provide the perfect stage.

"When the athletes see what has been created here, I am sure that they too will be inspired to reach new heights in their sport.

"Congratulations to all of those involved in creating this unique and spectacular theatre."

Exactly 33 buildings on the Olympic Stadium site had been demolished and over 800,000 tonnes of soil was taken away before construction could begin - enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall nine times over.

Meanwhile, the toilets for spectators are spread out across 32 separate buildings on the podium level and are all now functional.

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