London Olympics construction ahead on previous games

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has said that London 2012 is way ahead of past host cities after two years' preparations.

“The reports I am getting show that in the initial period of two years, London is ahead of every host city we have had in the past. That includes Beijing,” Rogge said in an interview in the Daily Telegraph. “Beijing is now almost ready, which means they have done a tremendous job since the beginning, and now we are one year from the Games. I think I will be able to say that again in 2011 because London is progressing extremely well.”

Michael Brown deputy chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) commented, “The construction of London 2012 should be something that the nation can be very proud of - in the same way as we will be of the Games itself.

“To be considered further ahead of previous Games at the same stage is a good sign that the hard work and planning is on track. The industry is not just aiming for the Games to be delivered on time and on budget but also to be a model for other future Olympics around the world. This is just another example of how excellence prospers in the construction industry, and we hope this encourages young people to get involved in industry.”

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is on track to have most of the Olympic site cleared and cleaned by summer 2008.The first earthworks have started in the Olympic Park with the excavation of the site for the London 2012 International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre.

The work on the site of the media centre involves excavation of over 80,000 cubic metres of soil to prepare the platform for construction work to begin in late 2008. The excavated soil will be reused on site for future use in landscaping and construction.