London landmarks set for starring role when Olympic show comes to town

London 2012 officials say they have drawn inspiration from Roman amphitheatres and US baseball stadiums to design temporary venues for the Olympics that make the capital's well-known landmarks a major attraction. New images show how how archery events staged on the venerated turf at Lord's, equestrian events in Greenwich Park and the whitewater canoeing course at Lee Valley will look when the Olympics take place next year. The games, won partly by London on the promise they would not leave behind any white elephants, are using four times as many temporary seats as other recent Olympics. Some will form temporary arenas at London landmarks while others will build up the capacity at new and existing sports venues. The various partners involved in the logistical planning for the temporary sites – which will also include beach volleyball at Horseguard's Parade, the triathlon in Hyde Park and the finish of the marathon and the road cycling on the Mall – have said it will require 250,000 temporary seats and 165,000 square metres of tents. Jeff Keas, principal at Populous, said it had employed a horseshoe design at most venues inspired by Roman amphitheatres and the Pittsburgh Pirates' baseball stadium to focus attention on the famous venues that will form the backdrop for spectators and TV viewers. "Sport is at the core of the overlay project, but more than that, we have focused on London as the backdrop," he said. "This means ensuring wherever we can that either the historic buildings at venues like Greenwich Park or Lord's, or the iconic London skyline, remain in sight for spectators whilst creating an intimate atmosphere for the athletes." John Barrow, senior principal at the company, said that a key consideration had been the atmosphere that would be created on the Olympic park and within temporary venues. "Informality, laced with fun and festival, is something we want to inject into London 2012. That is the atmosphere we want on the park as well," he said.