Post by Taxigirl on Nov 11, 2003 19:06:17 GMT
Stratford in east London could be the site for an 80,000-seater stadium to host the 2012 Olympic Games, it has been announced.
After six months of planning, the committee behind the London bid revealed on Tuesday what the Games could bring to the city.
The plans include a giant stadium at Marshgate Lane in Stratford, east London, and an Olympic village accommodating 17,000 beds in central Stratford, which will generate 5,000 homes for use afterwards.
Over the next two months the plans are open for public consultation in a series of workshops and exhibitions, before they are submitted to the International Olympic Committee, which will decide which city will host the Games.
More than half of the events would be held within a 15 minute drive of the Olympic village - three miles from the heart of London.
Keith Mills, chief executive of London 2012, said: "We are aiming to create a compact Games for the modern Olympic movement.
"The layout of venues has been designed to meet the requirements of the athletes during the Games as well as the long-term needs of London communities post Games."
There are plans for an aquatic centre, including a 50 metre pool built to Olympic specifications, at Carpenters Road in Stratford and a velodrome and BMX track at Eastway Sports Centre.
The basketball and volleyball events, together with the Paralympics, could be held on the site of the old Hackney dogs stadium in east London.
Mr Mills added the new venues would drive the Lower Lea Valley into "the most extensive transformation London has seen since the Victorian era."
London is in competition with the likes of New York, Paris, Madrid and Moscow to host the sporting festival.
However, suggestions the tennis contest could be held at Wimbledon may not now make it past the drawing board.
Barbara Cassani, who is chairing the London bid, admits the All-England Tennis Club may not form part of the plans because grass would not be considered appropriate for disabled athletes, who will be competing in the Paralympics.
A compromise would be to use Wimbledon for the Olympics but build a tennis centre with hard courts to stage the Paralympic Games.
Proposals
80,000-seat stadium, Marshgate Lane
Aquatic centre with 50m pool, Carpenters Road
Velodrome and BMX track next to Eastway cycling centre
Multi-sport complex on old Hackney Greyhound Stadium
Olympic village near Stratford rail terminal
Tennis complex next to Fish Island
Hockey complex next to Olympic village