Work is complete on the huge southern roof support for the 160 metre long wave shape roof of the Zaha Hadid designed 17,500-capacity centre which will mark the gateway to the Olympic Park during the 2012 Games and in legacy.

 

The Olympic Delivery Authority ( ODA) also said that work is underway on the two northern roof supports for the 2,800 tonne steel roof which will begin to be installed from spring next year.

 

Over 3,000 tonnes of concrete has been poured to create the base of one of the supports, to bridge the tunnels which have been dug to run powerlines beneath the site.

 

The other northern support is being built with four metres high of concrete already poured.

 

The pools have been excavated and three quarters of the foundations are complete with already around 1,000 concrete piles driven up to 25 metres into the ground.

 

The concrete foundations are also being built for the supports of the huge land bridge that will form the roof of the 50 metre training pools and the main pedestrian access to the Olympic Park in Games and legacy.

 

David Higgins, the ODA chief executive, said: “Work has surged ahead on the Aquatics Centre since construction started two months earlier than planned this summer.

 

"This followed a challenging clean up of one of the most contaminated parts of the Olympic Park site.

 

"As the 'Big Build' accelerates into 2009 people are seeing for themselves the Aquatics Centre starting to take shape as it becomes the venue that will be a fantastic ‘gateway to the Games’ and new swimming and diving facilities for London in legacy.”

 

Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman, said: “I’m particularly excited to see the progress being made on the Aquatics Centre - we saw this summer how the whole country responded to the performances of our swimmers.

 

"The likes of Rebecca Addlington, Ellie Simmonds and Tom Daley are now household names and all being well, we’ll see them competing in 2012 and building on their achievements this year.

 

"I have always thought that seeing is believing on a project like this and the skyline in East London is already beginning to alter as venues begin to be built.

 

"This is a much-needed facility in London and one which will benefit both London ’s elite athletes and the local community, inspiring future generations of Rebeccas, Ellies and Toms.”