The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced that Balfour Beatty from Britain, Eiffel from France and Hochtief from Germany have been selected to take part in the next stage of the competition to win the £75 million contract.

 

There will be relief at the ODA that Balfour Beatty has been shortlisted after earlier concerns about the lack of interest shown in the project by British firms.

 

They were overlooked for the role of the Olympic Delivery Partner when their joint bid with AMEC and and Jacobs was overlooked in favour of CLM, whose constortium included Laing O'Rourke.

 

Balfour Beatty were also yesterday as being among the short listed groups to buld the Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre. 

 

Each of three companies has been involved in a number of major construction projects.

 

For example, Eiffel with the Millau Bridge in France, Balfour Beatty with Heathrow Terminal 5 and Hochtief with Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

 

Eiffel also built the Eiffel Tower, the most visited tourist attraction in the world.

 

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: “This is an opportunity for a world-class construction company to build a world-class London 2012 venue fit for the Games and a lasting legacy.

 

"We are pleased to have such a high quality shortlist competing to build the Aquatics Centre which will form a spectacular gateway to the Olympic Park from Stratford.

 

"It is a challenging programme but we are on track to deliver.”

 

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The Aquatics Centre will host the best athletes in the world during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and afterwards will be an important base for elite British swimmers, and a new swimming and fitness facility for local people. 

 

"It is another example of the fantastic sporting legacy that the Games will leave."

 

During the Games the Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre, featuring a spectacular sweeping roof, will mark the entrance to the Olympic Park from Stratford.

 

The Aquatics Centre will host swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo finals and elements of Modern Pentathlon.

 

After the Games temporary seating will be removed, leaving in legacy a 2,500 capacity swimming venue that can be boosted to 3,500 seats, and local community and school swimming facilities.

 

Eiffel, Balfour Beatty and Hochtief will now enter the competitive dialogue process and the ODA hopes to appoint the preferred contractor by the end of the year.

 

The Aquatics Centre construction contract could potentially include further work in the surrounding zone, including a temporary water polo venue, landscaping and a permanent bridge and public plaza.

 

Work is well underway clearing and excavating the site before construction starts in 2008 with the venue ready for elite training and test events in 2011.