Recall the roar of the crowd as we approach the London Stadium. This multi-purpose stadium stands proudly in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is located in Stratford.
The London Stadium has quite the history. Originally known as the Olympic Stadium. It was constructed for the 2012 Summer Olympics. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. The stadium also served as the venue for track and field sports.
Designed in 2006 by Populous. Architect Philip Johnson led the design team. Construction began in May 2008. It finished in March 2011. Quite the feat of engineering.
After the Olympics, the London Stadium transformed. It hosted the 2017 IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It also hosted the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships. It was the first time both events were held in the same location. Several 2015 Rugby World Cup matches were held here. In 2019, the stadium hosted the first US Major League Baseball game in Europe.
The London Stadium is currently rented by UK Athletics. It is also home to West Ham United F.C.. The stadium re-opened in 2015 after renovations. The most noticeable changes were to the roof.
With 66000 seats, it is the sixth biggest stadium in the UK by capacity. For concerts, the capacity increases to nearly 80000. The Weeknd’s After Hours til Dawn Tour broke records here. It achieved the highest single night attendance. Over 80000 people attended. Over two days, 159574 people enjoyed the show.
The London Stadium’s legacy extends beyond sports. During London’s bid for the Olympics, promotional materials showed a stadium roof. It was designed to wrap itself around the venue like muscles. The stadium’s design incorporates sustainability. It used low-carbon-dioxide concrete for the base tier. This reduced embodied carbon by 40 percent.
After the Olympics, there was a bidding process for post-Olympic tenants. West Ham United secured a 99-year lease in March 2013. This was after a controversial decision. The stadium was planned to be the football club’s home ground from the 2016 to 2017 season.
The stadium hosted its first public event in March 2012. It served as the finish line for a celebrity run. Five thousand participants ran around Olympic Park. They entered the London Stadium to the theme from Chariots of Fire. They ran the final 300 metres on its track.
David Rudisha broke his own world record for the 800 metres during the Olympics. He became the first man to run the distance in under 1 minute 41 seconds. The United States women’s 4 x 100 metres team beat the previous best. They set a new world record.
The London Stadium has seen its share of criticism. Some architecture critics questioned its aesthetic value. Others questioned its suitability as a national icon. Despite the criticism, the Olympic Stadium was nominated for the 2012 Stirling Prize in architecture.
The London Stadium continues to evolve. Alterations are planned. These will introduce new lower-tier stands. These will move supporters closer to the pitch. In March 2020, West Ham opened a sensory room in the stadium for fans. These alterations meant an increase of the overall capacity to 68013.
As we leave the London Stadium, remember its history. It is a place where athletes break records. It is a venue where fans cheer. It is a stage where legends are made.