If you get a chance to visit the Olympic Park at some point, take it. It is a great example of urban regeneration; from a toxic wasteland to a park and sports centre. It is due to change slowly after the Paralympics has ended, but will retain most of it’s most obvious features: the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, The Copper Box, Hockey pitch and the Aquatic Centre. It is only when you visit the site do you realise how big it is. The sign when entering the park from West Ham station stated a time of 30 minutes to reach the Basketball Arena. Some of this is due to the volume of visitors, but it was still a reasonable walk.
The large TV screens in the River Lee and park area were popular as once your tickets had been used and your session ended, you were able to hang around the Olympic Park and could spend the whole day there if you wished. I like the picture above as although nothing special photographically speaking, it combines some of the most important elements of the Olympic games: the volunteers, the service men and women who came in at the last minute and finally the general public who represented all races, religions and cultures. Sometimes the Olympic ideal of bringing all nations and peoples together regardless of race, nationality, politics and religion through sport seems a bit pretentious and too idealistic, but in London at least it seemed to happen. If only everyday life was like it.
The Park area will be retained and kept as a nature reserve. Considering it was only planted a year or so before the event was due to start, it already looks quite well established with plenty of Butterflies and flowers all around. The view from one of the bridges across the river Lee shows the position of the Velodrome on top of a rise in the site which gives it quite a dramatic approach. Especially so?with the? lighting as it was spotlighting the building as the clouds moved across the sky.
Below is a small gallery?of images that gives a feel of the Olympic Park.
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