London Guide | Londoner City

London Olympic Aquatics centre’s iconic wave-shaped roof was put in place as work on the 2012 venues continues ahead of schedule.

The roof was designed by Zaha Hadid which has 160m long structure will now be covered by aluminium. It was lowered into place this week in one of the most complex engineering challenges of the project.

Unlike conventional buildings the steel roof, which weighs over 3,000 tonnes had to be constructed at ground level and then placed onto three concrete supports.

London Olympic Aquatics will host swimming during London 2012. Swimming is the number one participation sport among women, and Rebecca Adlington is one of the stars who organisers, who brought the Olympics to London partly on the promise of leaving a legacy of sports participation.

The unveiling of the framework for the sweeping 160-metre roof on the £244m aquatics centre, is seen as a key moment in the Olympic Delivery Authority's "big build". During the London 2012 the centre will house two 50-metre pools, a 25-metre diving pool and 17,500 spectators.

Gerry Sutcliffe, the sports minister said: "Our sportswomen have had a bumper year and I hope the successes of stars like Jessica Ennis and the England women's cricket team will inspire more women across the country to make that important first step. There is a sport out there for everyone and this investment will help clubs reach out to women who haven't found theirs yet."

-Agencies