We’re a few days away from the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic games in London, which will be held at the newly built Olympic Stadium, which many hope will not become what the Bird’s Nest in Beijing has become, like most of the venues from the 2008 Olympics. But there’s more to these games than just the Olympic Stadium, with 30 stadiums, arenas and others used to host the competitions and the fans.
London Aquatics Centre
It took three years to build, costing £269 million to construct. It will seat 17,500 during the Olympic games, but the two temporary wings will be taken off after the games, making it a 3,500 venue. It’ll probably replace the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre as the city’s leading facility for aquatic sports. Diving, Swimming and Synchronized swimming will be held at the place.
London Basketball Arena
A 12,000 seater that will host the Basketball tournament and the medal round of the handball tournament.
Copper Box
With a capacity of 7000, the Copper Box was originally called the handball arena, but had to be renamed because it will also hold the fencing competitions.
London Velopark
The Velopark consists of the Cycling stadium, where the British are hoping to dominate after a fantastic Tour de France, named the London Velodrome with a capacity of 6000, costing £105 million to construct, and the outside mountain bike track for the BMX competition.
Riverbank Arena
Riverbank Arena is a 15,000 seater that will turn into a 5000 one after the games, hosting the field hockey competition.
Olympic Stadium
The crown jewel of the Olympic games and a stadium for one of London’s many football clubs after the games. It took four years and nearly £500 million to complete. It has a capacity of 80,000 and will be the venue for the athletics competitions, along with the opening and closing ceremonies.
Water Polo Arena
Guess what will happen here?
ExCel London
An exhibitions and conference centre in London that will host the Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Table tennis,Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Wrestling competitions.
Greenwich Park
An open park for pedestrians most of the year, Greenwich Park will host the Equestrian events alongside the riding, running and shooting of the Modern Pentathlon.
North Greenwich Arena
Usually known as the O2 Arena, the 20,000-seater will host the basketball final and some of the Gymnastics competitions.
Royal Artillery Barracks
A place that was actually built in the late 18th century, the Barracks will hold the Shooting competitions in the London Olympic Games.
All-England Club
Wimbledon, the Olympic version.
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Another conference center used for the Olympics, hosting the volleyball competitions in 2012.
House Guards Parade
A parade ground most of the time, it will host the Beach Volleyball competition in the London Olympic games.
Hyde Park
London’s most famous park will be used for the triathlon and the marathon swimming section of the Olympic games.
Lord’s Cricket Ground
The home of English cricket will host the Archery competitions in the London Olympic games.
Wembley Arena
The 12,500-seater, originally named Empire Pool, will host the Badminton and Gymnastics (rhythmic) competitions.
Wembley Stadium
Wembley will host the final of the football tournament, but the rest of the games will be held in five different stadiums outside London – City of Coventry Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Old Trafford in Manchester and St. James’ Park in Newcastle.
Outside London - Dorney Lake will host the Canoeing (sprint) and rowing competitions. Hadleigh Farm will hold the mountain biking tournament. The Lee Valley White Water Centre will hold the Canoeing slalom. The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy at the Isle of Portland in Dorset will be the venue for the sailing competitions.
