It is expected that the aquatics centre, which will cost around £250 million pounds, will be completed in the summer of 2011, leaving a year for testing and trial events.

 

The 2,800 tonne roof was designed by Hadid to contract, stretch and twist according to varying weather conditions.

 

The wave-shaped roof is 160 metres long and up to 90 metres wide, with supporting walls at the north and south ends and steel trusses meaning no supporting columns are required.

 

Now complete, the roof will be covered in aluminum.

 

The roof steel was fabricated in Newport from plate rolled in Gateshead, Motherwell and Scunthorpe, assembled on the Aquatics Centre site and connected together 20m off the ground on temporary supports.

 

The completed roof frame was then carefully lifted over one metre at one end and lowered into its permanent position with the temporary supports removed.

 

John Armitt, the chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said: "It's a terrific feat of engineering design, engineering construction and a terrific architectural concept.

 

"This has been a terrific challenge and a few months ago people used to ask me what I thought of the roof and I said I would be relieved when it was in its final position and it had taken up the shape the engineers had planned.

 

"It's done exactly that, all the supports are now free from it and so people can see its clear span."

 

Armitt is confident that London's Aquatics Centre will surpass even Beijing's illuminated Water Cube.

 

He said: "The Water Cube looked fantastic from the outside when it was lit but from the inside I personally found it a bit disappointing.

 

"I think this one will be equally as exciting inside as it is outside."

 

The 2012 Olympics Aquatics Centre is located at the southern end of the Olympic Park and will be the principal venue for the diving, swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo finals held, and contains two 50m swimming pools, a 25m diving pool and a tower.

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "The Aquatics Centre is going to be a spectacular venue for the Games in 2012 and its unique roof will be a wonderful addition to the East London skyline.

 

"At Games-time, 17,500 excited spectators will be able to ‘raise the roof’ cheering on the swimmers, including our British medal hopefuls, and in legacy it will become a much-needed elite and community facility.

 

"We are making great progress – and are fully on track with this iconic gateway to the Olympic Park.”

 

David Higgins, the chief executive of the ODA, said: "The sweeping roof will form the 'Gateway to the Games' and is now a fixture on the skyline alongside the Olympic Stadium.

 

"The Aquatics Centre willbe a new landmark building for East London and will offer elite and community swimming and diving facilities in legacy.

 

"Across the schedule we are on schedule and within budget.

 

"However, we are not complacent.

 

"Our toughest year is ahead of us as the workforce and activity on site reaches a peak."

 

Although the centre will feature 17,500 seats for spectators during the Olympic events, its capacity will subsequently be reduced to 2,500.

 

David Sparkes, the chief executive of British Swimming, said: "The Aquatics Centre with its unique design will, I am sure, inspire all our athletes to work hard to not only compete in 2012 but to make the nation proud of the facility and athletes as they deliver medal winning performances.

 

"Bringing this magnificent building to life in 2012 will inspire Londoners to swim more and have great fun in the Aquatics Centre for years to come." 

 

 

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