2012 chiefs play down Aquatics Centre fears

LONDON (Reuters) - Fears over the design of the Aquatics Centre for the London 2012 Olympics were dismissed by Games planners on Wednesday.

Media reports on Tuesday said the complicated design of the venue, which features a spectacular sweeping roof in the shape of a stingray, raised problems over building materials, particularly the timber to be used on the ceiling.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said construction work on the centre, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, would start ahead of schedule later this month.

Work on part of the foundations for the main stadium was halted, though, on Wednesday when asbestos was found within the construction site.

A spokesman said on Wednesday there were no issues with the Aquatics centre roof design and that material for the internal cladding would be thoroughly tested before being chosen.

"As is standard on any project we are progressing the detailed design development which includes considering a range of materials for particular elements, such as timber cladding," Aquatics Centre project sponsor John Nicholson said.

"Materials will be thoroughly tested to ensure they work for both the Games and legacy."

The 17,500-seater Aquatics Centre will form the entrance to the Olympic Park and will be the first venue spectators come upon after walking across a land bridge. It will cost 242 million pounds.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Miles Evans)

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