IOC Gives Athletes' Village 'Thumbs-Up'

Construction progress on London's Athletes' Village was praised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the first residential plot was completed.

The IOC's tour of the Village was part of their biannual Coordination Commission visit, and coincided with the release of the new Olympic Park flythrough.

IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald said: "The Olympic Village is at the very heart of the Games experience for thousands of athletes. It represents their home away from home and the place where they will prepare to achieve their Olympic dreams.

"It is therefore encouraging to see that excellent progress has been made in constructing this accommodation, especially knowing that this Village will become a vibrant new community in legacy.


"With its close proximity to the Olympic Park, the athletes will undoubtedly take full advantage of being able to walk to events and this will allow them to soak up the atmosphere and live their Olympic experience to the full."

The other 10 plots of the Village remain on track to be completed by the end of the year. The Village lies adjacent to the Olympic Park and will accommodate the athletes and officials during the London 2012 Games. After the Games the Village will deliver new homes for east London. These homes will be joined by new parks, open space and new education and healthcare facilities in one of the best-connected parts of the capital.

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive Dennis Hone added: "The IOC's praise for the Athletes’ Village is extremely encouraging and with our first residential plot now completed, we are seeing beds for athletes and new homes for Londoners taking shape.

"With construction work firmly on track, discussions to secure a long-term private investor in the Village are also making good progress with a shortlist of investors due to be selected in the coming weeks."

(CD/GK)