The Olympic Park, designed by British architect Kevin Owens, "is the
greatest triumph" of the London Games, according to Philip Hersh of the
CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Never has a mix of "functional space, greenery and
eight sports venues, from the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium to the
6,000-seat velodrome, been carried out so effectively." The eight
sponsor pavilions spread around the park "seem an inviting addition
rather than an intrusion, none more so than the whimsical mirrored face
of the BP building." Owings said, "We know this park will go through
quiet periods. We needed to create a space that still feels vibrant when
there are only 50 people in it." Hersh writes it can be "easy to get
carried away about how brilliantly that goal seems to have been
achieved. The test begins next year, when venues will be used
intermittently for large events and the park begins to serve its primary
purpose as a recreational and residential space for a once blighted
area of East London" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/9).
In a special to the FINANCIAL TIMES, former IOC Marketing &
Broadcast Rights Dir Michael Payne wrote, "One of the biggest successes
of London 2012 has been the fantastic atmosphere." Perhaps it "should
not be surprising that the beach volleyball on Horse Guards is lively
and noisy." But other venues "from the rowing at Eton Dorney to tennis
at Wimbledon have been equally loud." More than "any past hosts, London
has focused on maximising the spectator experience." Each venue "has its
own producer with the freedom to have fun while respecting the sport" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 8/9).
CSNBAYAREA.com's Ann Killion wrote the beach volleyball venue at Horse
Guards Parade "is the most spectacular of the Olympics." It has "been
the party venue, with beer lines snaking around the outside of the
stadium" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 8/8).
LIKE SAND THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS: In London, Jerome
Taylor noted sand from the beach volleyball venue "will be used to build
36 new courts" in and around the greater London area over the coming
months "as part of an attempt to build a lasting legacy that will propel
Britain towards the next Olympics in Rio." British Olympic officials
said that funding "is needed to make sure that the country's newfound
love for the sport ... is capitalised on in the aftermath of the Games."
The new courts "are being built primarily within the London area under a
deal agreed with LOCOG" (INDEPENDENT, 8/9).
HER NAME IS RIO: In London, Paul Newman noted organizers for the '16 Rio de Janeiro Games "have brought 152 observers
who are aiming to look and learn from London's example." There are also
51 government officials "studying issues like security." Nearly half the
venues to be used in Rio "are existing facilities, while another
quarter will be temporary structures." The remaining venues will be new.
Construction work in the Olympic Park, "which does not include the main
Joao Havelange and Maracana Stadiums, began last month, while builders
will move into the last of the four main Olympic clusters at Deodoro
next year." The official line on preparations for '16 is that
"everything is in good order." However, others "are not so sure." A
Brazilian journalist said, “Only the authorities say they are all set
for 2016. The people know that we have much to do both in terms of our
athletes’ preparations and building facilities" (INDEPENDENT, 8/9).
