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London 2012; Innovation hub opens in former IBC/MPC

 

Plexal is Europe’s largest innovation hub, based on the 1.2 million square-foot former London Olympics Press & Broadcast centre. Over 800 technology startups and corporate innovation teams converge at Plexal to imagine, design and create connected products that improve our lives. Plexal is dedicated to providing a world-class holistic suite of business services: innovation & accelerator programmes, in-house professional services, a makers lab for rapid prototyping, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, industry-leading events and so much more.

The centre is designed by ENTIQ, best known for Level39, Innovate Finance and Cognicity.

 

Read more: British Silicon Valley starts up at London Olympic Park (The Times)

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London 2012; London Festival of Architecture 2017 – Guided walk: The Architectural Sporting Heritage of Hackney Marsh

The Architectural Sporting Heritage of Hackney Marsh

This circular guided walk from Stratford looks at some of the former London 2012 Olympic venues, which are in daily use, but also takes you back through 160 years. We’ll visit the sites of two former running tracks, a greyhound stadium, and a big sports clubhouse which have all disappeared. Evidence of other sites still linger on.

Your guide, Alan Tucker, has lived in Bow since 1985, and watched the development of the 2012 Olympic Park with interest. He’s been researching this area for years and will bring out maps, drawings and photos to show you fleeting memories of long gone sporting venues.

The walk runs on Tues 6th June at 6.30pm, Sun 11th June at 11am, and Sun 25th June at 11am. It costs £10 per person. Join Alan on this walk to enjoy the present architecture and landscape, learn about the future, and be amazed by the past.

 

Source: London Festival of Architecture

 

More information:

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London 2012; West Ham’s first season at the former Olympic Stadium concluded

London Stadium last January. © Martijn Giebels / Architecture of the Games

Jacob Steinberg from The Guardian wrote a few weeks ago this excellent blog about West Ham’s first season at the London Stadium.

That closeness, that claustrophobia, has been conspicuous by its absence this season. Because of the running track, the players struggle to feel the atmosphere and the distance from the pitch prevents the crowd from getting on top of visiting teams. The place simply feels too big for a team of West Ham’s stature and it was striking to hear Pep Guardiola make that point after City’s 5-0 win in the FA Cup in January. “Today we controlled a bit more, through the passes,” Guardiola said. “The pitch, the stadium, helped us in that sense. It looks like it’s bigger. It’s an impression.”

The pitch at Upton Park was 100.5m x 68m, while the London Stadium is five metres longer and the same width. However Guardiola’s comments echoed ones made by Sir Trevor Brooking, who warned that teams would raise their game at Stratford. The psychological impact of playing in a stadium regarded as a soft touch should not be underestimated. Without that home advantage, West Ham’s frailties become more exposed. Tottenham are likely to enjoy themselves on Friday evening.

 

West Ham’s first season at London Stadium: a ‘terrible’ experience or a step forward? The Guardian. Retrieved 19:21, May 30, 2017, from www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/may/04/west-ham-first-season-london-stadium-slaven-bilic

 

The average number of visitors at home games rose dramatically this year (+ 63%). Not entirely surprising since the London Stadium has a greater capacity than Upton Park.

Premier League Attendances 2016-2017 vs. 2015-2016

  2016 - 20172015 - 2016
PositionClubTotalAverageHighestTotalAverageHighest
1Manchester United1.430.50275.29075.3971.430.43075.28675.415
2Arsenal FC1.139.17759.95760.0551.138.93459.94460.084
3West Ham United1.082.46456.97256.996663.29134.91034.977
4Manchester City1.026.35854.01954.5121.026.77654.04154.693
5Liverpool FC1.007.31153.01653.292834.28543.91044.228

 

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Last January, I visited the London Stadium. You can find the photos of my visit on this page.

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Olympic bids from the past; London 2012

Leading up to the 2024 host city election, we pay attention to Olympic bids from the past. Today, the successful bid of London 2012.

 

2012 Summer Olympics host city election – as it happened

 

Bids for the 2012 Summer Olympics

Applicant cities

  • Leipzig
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Istanbul
  • Havana

Candidate cities

 

2012 Host city election ballots results

117th IOC Session, Singapore, 06-07-2005

City Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
London 22 27 39 54
Paris 21 25 33 50
Madrid 20 32 31 —
New York 19 16 — —
Moscow 15 — — —

 

London 2012 Map

 

London 2012 Candidature File

The candidature file is available to download here.

 

London 2012 Olympic Bid Video

 

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Read more about the London 2012 Olympic Games