In May this year, construction started on the site three months earlier than originally planned and was witnessed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who had an opportunity to meet workers on site.

Over 4,000 reinforced concrete columns need to be installed into the ground, up to 20 metres deep, to ensure the foundations have a strong base to support the Stadium structure. Over 2,100 of these have already been installed.

Three our of the eight construction tower cranes, each between 48 and 60 metres high, have also been constructed in the Stadium ‘bowl’, making them the tallest visible landmark across the Olympic Park construction site at the present time. These have been erected ready for the start of the concrete and steel work which will starts next week.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "Impressive progress is being made on the Olympic Stadium thanks to the hard work of Team Stadium, the design and construction team on site. Over the coming months, people will be able to see this innovative and sustainable Stadium begin to rise out of the ground."