Balfour Beatty is sole aquatic centre bidder says ODA

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has confirmed that Balfour Beatty is the only contractor left in the running for the competition to build the acquatics centre for the London 2012 Olympics.

The other bidders, Hochtief and Eiffel have both pulled out after failing to agree terms.

Balfour Beatty, as the only UK bidder, had been hotly tipped to edge out the other contenders for several months.

An ODA spokesman said: "We are looking forward to receiving a tender from Balfour Beatty. A huge amount of work is already taking place on the aquatics site itself.

"Clearly we have a challenging timetable, but across the piece we are making very good progress on procurement.

"We have shortlisted six contractors to build the velopark, five to build the sailing facilities in Weymouth and Portland, 12 for major packages to build roads and bridges, and are negotiating with a world-class team to build the Olympic stadium."

The acquatics centre was the first Olympic project to go to the detailed design stage. Construction is expected to begin in 2008.