London Stadium

London Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Stratford, London, England, in the Olympic Park. The stadium was originally built for the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, with Seb Coe and Lord Coe playing key roles in the bid process. The stadium has since become the home of West Ham United F.C., who moved from their previous home at Upton Park in 2016. The stadium has also hosted numerous other events, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup and 2017 World Athletics Championships, with Usain Bolt and Mo Farah competing in the latter.

● History

The concept of a new stadium in Stratford, London was first proposed in 2004 as part of the London bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The stadium was designed by Populous and constructed by Balfour Beatty, with John Armitt and Sir John Armitt overseeing the project. The stadium was officially opened on May 6, 2012, by Seb Coe and Princess Anne, with Olympic torch bearer Ben Ainslie lighting the Olympic cauldron. The stadium hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, with Jessica Ennis-Hill and Jonnie Peacock winning gold medals in the Heptathlon and 100 metres (T44), respectively.

● Design and Features

The stadium was designed by Populous and features a unique retactable roof and a grass playing surface. The stadium has a seating capacity of 62,062 and features a video scoreboard and a sound system designed by Daktronics and Harman International, respectively. The stadium's design was influenced by the Beijing National Stadium and the Allianz Arena, with Herzog & de Meuron and Arup providing inspiration. The stadium's architecture has been praised by Zaha Hadid and Norman Foster, with the stadium winning the Structural Award for Best Sports Venue.

● Tenants and Events

The stadium is currently the home of West Ham United F.C., who moved to the stadium in 2016. The stadium has also hosted numerous other events, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup and 2017 World Athletics Championships. The stadium has hosted Concerts by The Rolling Stones and AC/DC, with Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar also performing at the stadium. The stadium has also hosted Rugby league matches, including the 2016 Four Nations and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, with Wayne Bennett and Mal Meninga coaching in the tournament.

● Construction and Cost

The construction of the stadium began in 2008 and was completed in 2012, with a total cost of £486 million. The stadium was constructed by Balfour Beatty, with John Armitt and Sir John Armitt overseeing the project. The stadium's construction was funded by a combination of public and private funding, with UK Sport and the London Development Agency providing significant funding. The stadium's construction was also supported by Olympic sponsors, including Coca-Cola and McDonald's.

● Transport and Accessibility

The stadium is located in the Olympic Park and is accessible by public transport, including the London Underground and National Rail. The stadium is served by Stratford station and Stratford International station, with Transport for London and National Rail operating services to the stadium. The stadium is also accessible by bus and taxi, with London Bus and Addison Lee operating services to the stadium. The stadium has also been designed to be accessible for disabled spectators, with wheelchair-accessible seating and audio description facilities available.

● Legacy and Impact

The stadium has had a significant impact on the local community, with the stadium hosting numerous community events and charity matches. The stadium has also been used as a training facility for athletes, with UK Athletics and the English National Football Team using the stadium for training. The stadium has also been used as a venue for conferences and exhibitions, with The London Marathon and the Rugby Football Union hosting events at the stadium. The stadium's legacy has been praised by Seb Coe and Lord Coe, with the stadium winning the London Planning Award for Best New Development. Category:Sports venues in London