The stadium design was launched on 7 November 2007. The architect, Populous, is an architectural firm specializing in the design of sports facilities and convention centers, as well as planning of major special events.
The stadium’s track and field arena is excavated out of the soft clay found on the site, around which is permanent seating for 25,000, built using concrete “rakes”.
The stadium is made up of different tiers; during the games the stadium was able to hold 80,000 spectators. The base tier, which will be permanent and allow for 25,000 seats, is a sunken elliptical bowl that is made up of low – carbon dioxide concrete. The foundational of the base level is 5,000 piles reaching up to 20 meters deep.
To allow for fast on – site assembly, compressions were bolted; this will also enable easy disassembling of the roof structure after the closing ceremonies. The cable – supported roof structure corves approximately two thirds of the stadium’s seating.
The stadium is equipped with a nine lane Monod 400 meters athletics track. It also has a 60 meter indoor sprint track and will have space for lectures, offices, commercial, conference and hospitality.
The stadium held its first public event in March 2012, serving as the finish line for a celebrity running event organized by the National Lottery. The stadium has a capacity of 80,000, making it the third – largest stadium in England behind Wimble stadium and Twickenham Stadium.
