Work on 2012 London Olympic stadium to begin in 2 weeks, coinciding with IOC visit

LONDON (AP) -Construction of the main stadium for the 2012 London Olympics will begin three months early, coinciding with a visit by IOC inspectors.

The International Olympic Committee coordination commission will be in London from May 20-22 to review games preparations, and local organizers will mark the end of the tour with a groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium.

"Construction on the Olympic Stadium was due to start in August but the progress we have made means we are starting three months early, with construction starting on Thursday, May 22,'' the Olympic Delivery Authority said in a statement Thursday.

Preparatory work on the stadium has involved lowering ground levels by nine meters (30 feet) to create the area for the athletics track and permanent lower tiers of seating.

London organizers unveiled the design of the showpiece venue in November - a bowl-style 80,000-seat stadium for track and field events and the opening and closing ceremonies.

The 496-million-pound (US$970 million; ?630 million) arena will include permanent seating for 25,000 spectators, with the remaining 55,000 seats in a temporary structure at the top.

After the Olympics, the stadium will be converted to a 25,000-seat arena for track and field.