The 80,000-seat stadium, completed in May, was originally designed to be covered by a wrap, but the plan was dropped in October to save around £7 million from the project. However, worldwide Olympic partner Dow has now stepped forward to foot the bill for the decorative fabric wrap which will consist of 336 individual 25 metre high vertical panels around the exterior of the building.
Installation of the wrap will be completed by spring 2012 and will act to enliven a facility that had received criticism for appearing bland compared to Beijing’s spectacular Bird’s Nest Stadium. The wrap will allow coloured lights and images to illuminate the structure, while Dow will be permitted to advertise on the fabric up to the one-month pre-Games deadline, when all venues must appear clean from branding.
“The stadium will look spectacular at Games time and having the wrap is the icing on the cake,” said London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) chairman Sebastian Coe. “I’m delighted that Dow as one of the newer worldwide partners of the Olympic movement will be providing it and importantly doing it in a sustainable way. It reflects our vision and is a real statement of intent from Dow about their commitment to the Games.”
In keeping with LOCOG’s goal to stage a sustainable Olympic Games, Dow will repurpose the wrap following the 2012 Olympic competitions. George Hamilton, vice-president of Dow Olympic Operations, said the company is committed to finding a sustainable post-Games use and is investigating several options. “Our goal is to provide solutions that help make the Olympic Games more sustainable, safer and that will help improve performance,” said Hamilton. “We’re providing this wrap as a sustainable solution for the Games and we look forward to celebrating its completion with Olympic fans around the world. We’re proud that the wrap will have a lasting and sustainable legacy, and one that will improve quality of life long after the closing ceremonies.”
In other news, West Ham United has stated that an independent review of the decision that made it the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 has found no evidence of wrongdoing. West Ham, which was relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season, launched its own enquiry after it was revealed Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) employee Dionne Knight had worked for the club during the bidding process. A West Ham statement claimed the findings "completely exonerate" the club, but the OPLC is still holding its own investigation while rival bidder Tottenham Hotspur is seeking a judicial review of the decision.
