Basketball Arena

The Basketball Arena for the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London is a sprawling state-of-the-art sporting venue, set up to stage the best basketball players from around the world. The first game of basketball was played in December 1891. It used peach baskets for goals. Since the 120 years of its inception, basketball has grown into one of the most exciting and popular team sports in the world. And London Olympics 2012 just promises to step-up this frenzy a notch higher. One of the largest-ever temporary venues to be built for any Olympics games, this outstanding, rambling arena will host some of the world's best basketball teams during the London 2012 Olympic Games. The 2012 stadium became the fourth venue to be completed on budget and in time, for the first test event to be held on the site in August. As one of the quickest venues to be constructed, the Basketball Arena is another milestone for the Olympic Park "Big Build".

Fast Facts

Sport Events Basketball, Handball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby
Location On the northern side of the Olympic Park
New or Existing A new addition
Permanent or Temporary It is a temporary set-up
Number of Events 7 events

Basketball Arena - The Construction
The Basketball Arena is one of the largest temporary sporting venues to be ever built. The construction of this site began in October 2009 although the 1,000-tonne steel frame was installed only in March 2010. The construction was completed within budget in June 2011. It is a splendid white cloud-like structure and is said to have a capacity of nearly 12,000 spectators. Though it is 35m tall and large enough to swallow a jumbo jet inside, yet it looks extremely light. It is expected to dazzle with colored lighting during the Games, similar to that of Bayern Munich's impressive football stadium.

During The Games
During the games, this arena will host all basketball games for both men's and women's tournaments except for the quarterfinals of the men's event and the semi-finals and finals of both men's and women's event that is scheduled to be held at the North Greenwich Arena. This venue will also host the conclusion of the handball tournaments and Paralympic wheelchair basketball and rugby. During the Olympic Games, the organizers will have just 22 hours to transform the venue from basketball arena to the arena for Handball competition finals. The process will involve removal of basketball posts and installing the handball goals and play mat. Then, during the Paralympic Games, just 12 hours will be available to get the venue ready for wheelchair rugby after the completion of the wheelchair basketball. The venue's 'back of house' area will be shared with the Velodrome and BMX Track to make most efficient use of space and resources. This will include two courts in temporary accommodation and areas for catering, security, waste management and the media.

After The Games
The Basketball Arena is designed and built specifically as a temporary structure. It is set to be dismantled after the completion of the Paralympic Games. The parts will be reused for other major sporting and non-sporting events elsewhere in the UK, fitting into the Organizing Committee's plans of delivering on not only the Games themselves, but also a legacy for sports in Britain.

How To Reach Basketball Arena
The Olympic Park will be open 90 minutes prior to the first session on the day the games begin. Basketball arena is within the Olympic Park. The Olympic Park with Stratford and Stratford International stations on the east side of the Park and West Ham station to the south is easy to access by public transport.

Some Interesting Facts About The Basketball Arena

Conclusion
The 12,000-seat basketball arena at the Olympic site in east London has been hailed by organizers as a template for future games, after the latest completed venue was unveiled. With these many spectators cheering for their respective teams in such a majestic arena, it certainly promises to be a delightful experience for all basketball fans.