Olympic stadium taking shape - PHOTOS

New photographs show London’s £496m Olympic stadium is fast taking shape, with seating terraces beginning to rise from the ground.

The first of 200 pre-cast concrete rakers, which support the terracing units in the lower bowl, have been lifted into place in the west and south stands.

Meanwhile, the first 12 of 12,000 pre-cast concrete terracing units that will contain spectator seats are to be delivered next week.

More than 145 five metre columns have also been put into place and the podium’s concrete slab has been poured.

Eight tower cranes, each between 48 and 60m high, have also been erected in the stadium bowl for the concrete work and roof erection.

Olympic Delivery Authority stadium project sponsor Ian Crockford said: “The Olympic stadium has been designed to be different with the legacy ambitions driving how we construct the venue.

“To create a stadium with such a temporary element will be a design and engineering first.

“The team is rising to the challenge and work is progressing on the ground at an impressive rate.”

The stadium is being built by Team McAlpine, which started work on site three months early in May.