One year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games has been marked by the completion of construction on the Aquatics Centre.

The Aquatics Centre was completed on time and within budget – the last of the six main Olympic Park venues to reach this milestone.

Back in July 2006, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) set out a challenging brief to clean and clear the Olympic Park site and build the new venues and infrastructure needed for the London 2012 Games. The challenge was to complete the ‘big build’ in time for test events by the summer of 2011 - a year before the Games. This has now been achieved on time, within budget, with a safety record far better than the industry average, and by setting new standards in sustainability and accessible design.

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ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "The Aquatics Centre will be a fantastic gateway to the Games in 2012 and a much-needed new community and elite sporting venue for the capital afterwards. Five years ago, in July 2006, we published a delivery timetable which set out the ambitious target to complete the main venues a year before the Games. Today, with the completion of the sixth main permanent venue, I am proud to say that we have delivered on that commitment.

"The completion of the Aquatics Centre is the latest chapter in a British success story where tens of thousands of workers and business from across the UK have demonstrated the ability of this country to successfully deliver major projects."

The Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, Handball Arena, Basketball Arena and the International Broadcast Centre were all completed earlier this year.

(CD)