Work on the 80,000-seater stadium was due to begin in August but the date was moved forward, and the first steps in digging the foundations begin today at a special ceremony attended by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

 

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said it had been able to make an early start because of progress already made on site.

 

After the Games, the £500 million stadium will be turned into a 25,000 seat venue.

 

The milestone comes as members of the International Olympic Committee's Co-ordination Commission enter the last day of their three-day visit to London.

 

Brown said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark a fantastic celebration in 2012 as Britain hosts the world’s greatest sporting event. 

 

"The Games offer a unique opportunity to change the lives of young people through sport and the positive effects will be felt long after the Games have finished.

 

“The early start to building work on the Olympic Park site is good news, taking us another step closer to 2012 and the regeneration of one of the country’s most deprived areas.

 

"I have no doubt that the construction of the new permanent venues, infrastructure and transport links within the largest new urban park to be created in Europe for 150 years will be a catalyst for lasting social and economic change in East London .”

 

ODA chairman John Armitt said: “Over the next year the Olympic Stadium structure will begin to emerge from the ground.

 

“People will be able to see with their own eyes a stadium which is designed to be different – an innovative and sustainable design which uses temporary elements to meet a complex brief – a stadium built for both Games and legacy.  

 

“It is great news that we can make an early start but this is a project with an immovable deadline so we know there are big challenges ahead.” 

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said:  “The Olympic Stadium will be the jewel in the crown of the Olympic Park. It will be a fantastic centrepiece for track and field in the summer of 2012 and provide a lasting legacy for athletics in the UK for generations to come.

 

“Construction is starting early and as the building work takes shape over the next three years, we will be working hard on our plans to make sure we deliver a truly memorable Games for the Olympic and Paralympic athletes who will take centre stage in the Stadium at Games time, and for the communities who will use the Stadium in legacy.”

 

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: “Starting work early on the Stadium is a tremendous achievement and is a real indication of our progress, with all our major milestones met.

 

“I would like to congratulate the ODA and all the workers on site who have done fantastic job.

 

“There is still a lot of work to be done and many challenges to come. 

 

"But I am delighted with what has been achieved so far and as we prepare for Beijing , it is immensely reassuring to know that preparations for our Games are on time and on track.”

 

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Starting the Stadium construction three months ahead of schedule is a tremendous achievement and I congratulate those who have worked tirelessly and professionally to make this happen.

 

“As I told the International Olympic Committee this week, I am determined to make sure that London does the Games proud, and that the Games leave a lasting legacy which every Londoner can enjoy and be proud of.”

 

Janet Paraskeva, chairwoman of the Olympic Lottery Distributor said: "Impressive progress is being made on the Olympic Park site and we are very encouraged to see what is being achieved with support from the National Lottery. 

 

“There is a long way to go but the prize of a lasting legacy of world-class sporting venues, thousands of new homes, new open spaces and community facilities - all within a new urban park served by first-class transport links - is getting closer every day."

 

The first phase of construction involves reinforcing the ground on which the Stadium will sit upon by inserting up to 4,000 concrete columns into the soil.

 

This forms the permanent foundations for the Stadium structure.

 

Through the autumn and winter of 2008, floor slabs will be laid for the base of the Stadium ‘bowl’ and the lower tier structures, and the columns that support the pedestrian concourse level will be built.

 

Early in 2009 the erection of the steel structures that will support the Stadium roof will begin to rise, giving an indication of the final height and scale of the structure.

 

Olympic Stadium Facts & Figures:

 

· Over 1,000 construction workers will be based on the Stadium site

 

· 33 buildings on the Olympic Stadium site have been demolished

 

· More than 800,000 tonnes of soil has been taken away to help create the construction platform for the Stadium - enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall nine times over

 

· The Stadium is highly sustainable, containing around 10,000 tonnes of steel - the lightest Olympic Stadium to date

 

· The total Stadium island site covers an area of 40 acres – five times the size of the Houses of Parliament

 

· The Stadium is 53m high - taller than Nelson’s Column (50m)

 

· The Stadium roof covers an area of 24,500 sq metres - the equivalent to three and a half football pitches

 

Stadium Timeline

 

· July 2006: Search starts for build and design team

 

· October 2006: Negotiations begin with Team Stadium

 

· February 2007: Olympic Board gives statement on legacy

 

· July 2007: Demolition starts on Olympic Stadium site

 

· July 2007: MOU signed with Team Stadium

 

· November 2007: Concept designs launched

 

· December 2007: Stadium site clearance completes

 

· March 2008: Sub-structure planning application given approval

 

· April 2008: Contract signed and Team Stadium take over site

 

· May 2008: Planning Application for super-structure submitted

 

· May 2009: Construction starts

 

· 2011: Construction completes