The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has started testing the Aquatics Centre, the venue that will host Swimming and Diving events during the London 2012 Games.

The three concrete pools are being filled with more than 10 million litres of water to check they are watertight before being sealed and lined with 180,000 tiles. Testing of the dive pool and training pool is complete and the competition pool will start to be filled this week.


Work is also well underway to line the wave-shaped roof of the Aquatics Centre, which weighs more than 3,000 tonnes and rests on just three concrete supports. In the coming weeks work to clad the curved timber ceiling will begin.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "The Aquatics Centre is on track for completion in mid-2011 and the sweeping roof that will form the 'gateway to the Games' is now a fixture in the skyline alongside the Olympic Stadium. Testing the pools is major milestone for the construction of the Aquatics Centre, which in legacy will provide a range of swimming and diving facilities and become a new London landmark.

"The Olympic Park 'big build' is on track and within budget as we move through our toughest year, with the workforce and activity on site reaching its peak."

(CD/GK)