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| Velodrome (London) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Velodrome (London) |
| Location | London, England |
| Opened | 2011 |
| Owner | London Legacy Development Corporation |
| Operator | Lee Valley Regional Park Authority |
| Capacity | 6,000 |
| Architect | Hopkins Architects |
| Structural engineer | Expedition Engineering |
| Main contractors | Sir Robert McAlpine |
| Tenants | British Cycling, Great Britain national track cycling team |
Velodrome (London) is an indoor track cycling arena located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London. Constructed for the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, it hosted track cycling and wheelchair track cycling events, and remains a national hub for British Cycling and training for the Great Britain national track cycling team. The facility is part of the Olympic Park legacy and contributes to urban regeneration in East London.
The Velodrome project originated during planning for London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, overseen by the Olympic Delivery Authority and backed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Designed amid collaboration between British Cycling, the International Cycling Union and legacy stakeholders, construction began after contracts were awarded to Sir Robert McAlpine and partners such as Hopkins Architects and Expedition Engineering. During the 2012 Summer Olympics the venue staged events that featured athletes from federations including USA Cycling, Cyclisme Québec, Cycling Australia and Cyclisme Français, with medalists celebrated by dignitaries connected to the International Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association. Post-Games, the site was transferred to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and integrated into regeneration efforts linked to the London Legacy Development Corporation.
Hopkins Architects produced a low-profile design emphasizing sustainability and legacy, influenced by precedents such as the Manchester Velodrome and historic tracks like the Antwerp Sportpaleis. The timber roof uses sustainably sourced Siberian larch and glulam sections engineered by Expedition Engineering to create an aerodynamic profile that references the Wembley Arena and forms used by the Royal Opera House for acoustic considerations. The shell's geometry and use of natural ventilation align with standards advocated by the Building Research Establishment and sustainable design consultants who consulted with the Greater London Authority. Structural solutions by Expedition Engineering and contractors such as Arup Group-affiliated engineers enabled long-span supports while meeting regulations influenced by the European Committee for Standardization.
The arena contains a 250-metre Siberian pine track built to specifications endorsed by the Union Cycliste Internationale with banking angles comparable to tracks at the UCI World Championships and the Commonwealth Games venues. Seating capacity of around 6,000 is configurable for international events and community programming, echoing arrangements used at Lee Valley VeloPark sister sites and training centres operated by British Cycling. Supplementary spaces include a sports science laboratory co-located with performance units used by the English Institute of Sport and physiotherapy suites staffed by practitioners affiliated with National Health Service partnerships and the British Paralympic Association. Athlete warm-up tracks, coaching rooms linked to the UK Sport high-performance network, and media zones conform to protocols used during multi-sport events such as the European Championships.
The Velodrome hosted track cycling competitions during the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, including sprint, pursuit, keirin and team events contested by national teams such as Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Germany at the 2012 Summer Olympics and France at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Post-Olympics it staged rounds of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup and national championships organized by British Cycling and the Union Cycliste Internationale, drawing competitors who have also contested the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, the Commonwealth Games, and continental events like the UEC European Track Championships. The venue has hosted touring events featuring professional teams such as Team Sky and Team GB, and has been used for live broadcasts on networks including BBC Sport and international broadcasters covering events like the World Cup series.
During the 2012 Summer Olympics the Velodrome witnessed multiple Olympic and world-class performances by riders affiliated with programs such as British Cycling and Cycling Australia. Notable athletes who set leading times inside the arena include medalists from teams represented by riders who have also competed at the UCI Road World Championships and Tour de France, and Paralympic medalists associated with the British Paralympic Association. The track has since been the site of national record attempts, World Cup victories, and training milestones for riders preparing for championships like the UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
As part of the Olympic legacy commitments managed by the London Legacy Development Corporation, the Velodrome functions as a community sports hub offering coaching programs run by British Cycling and outreach initiatives with local institutions such as Newham College and community groups supported by the Mayor of London’s legacy schemes. It contributes to talent pathways feeding national squads overseen by UK Sport and provides accessible programming linked to disability sport organizations including the British Paralympic Association and local disability charities. The facility remains a focal point in East London's regeneration alongside cultural venues like the Here East complex and transport investments tied to Stratford station and the Docklands Light Railway.
Category:Sports venues in London Category:Indoor arenas in London Category:2012 Summer Olympics venues