Controversial Olympic Stadium 'wrap' gets go ahead

A giant fabric ’wrap’ around the Olympic stadium has been given the go-ahead despite the plans being controversially shelved last year.

The London Organising commitee (Locog) is seeking tenders from the private sector to supply the £7 million wrap. Spanning 900m - the wrap is designed to display moving images and minimise crosswind interference within the stadium.

The IOC however have strict guidelines relating to branding, meaning the wrap will not display any sponsorship logos. Locog chief executive Paul Deighton says it provides a great opportunity for a corporate sponsor to get involved in an iconic project.

“We have had significant interest in supplying the stadium ’wrap’ from the private sector, so now is the time to start a formal tender process.

“There are some exciting ideas around, and we are running a process that is fair to those organisations that have expressed an interest.”

Last year the wrap was controversially scrapped following a cut in funding arising from the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

Stadium architect Rod Sheard, senior principal at Populous, condemned the decision at the time saying it’s removal would leave “unsightly parts of the stadium - including cables and trunking - on public show.”

Olympics Minister and Tory MP, Tony Robertson, also waded into the row saying that architects were engaging in an “old as the hills” style war between classicism and modernism.

Despite it’s jaded history, Rod Sheard warmly welcomed news of the wrap’s return.

“Designing a building like this is like bringing up your children. You try and do the right things for them but ultimately you know there is a time when you have to let go.

“I just want to make sure they are appropriately dressed when they walk out the door to meet the world.

“There is no doubt that the wrap is a wonderful opportunity for an organisation to be associated with what will be the most visible part of the London Olympics.”