July 17, 2007

Early design concepts for the 2012 London Olympic velodrome include an upwardly curving roof at each end of the facility, mirroring the cycling track inside and adding to feeling of being in an oval. The consortium that won the design competition was made up of Hopkins Architects, Expedition Engineering, BDSP and Grant Associates.

London velodrome design features curved roof

LONDON

The velodrome for the 2012 London Olympics will have an upwardly curving roof at each end to form an oval shape, and be part of a cycling complex that will include a BMX circuit.

Organizers unveiled images of the 6,000-seat velodrome, which will be located in the north of the Olympic Park at Stratford in east London. The consortium that won the design competition was made up of Hopkins Architects, Expedition Engineering, BDSP and Grant Associates. British Olympic cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy was part of the judging panel.

“Velodromes are often very boring or bland and they do not connect to the drama or geometry of the track,” Hopkins Architects director Mike Taylor said.

“The design has the curves and form that you would have in a cycle track, but it is also an efficient structure and very strong.”

After the games, the BMX circuit will be relocated, with a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course also added. “The winning team impressed the design jury with their understanding of the need to plan Games and legacy together,” Olympic Delivery Authority chief executive David Higgins said.

“This showed how London is the world capital of sport and our capacity to stage world sporting events,” London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said.

“It also showed the passion of Londoners for world-class sport and the enthusiasm for cycling in the capital and throughout the UK.”

Construction on the velodrome won’t begin until mid-2009, but will be completed in time for test events in 2011. The three other permanent facilities to be built in Olympic Park are the Olympic Stadium, aquatics centre and media centre.

Associated Press

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