2012 broadcast centre takes shape

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The structure of the International Broadcast Centre for the 2012 Olympics has been completed in east London.

The 4,500-tonne steel structure, which will house 20,000 journalists, photographers and broadcasters, was built in Stratford in 10 weeks.

After the Games the building will be sold off for use as business space.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said the centre will "pump out hundreds of thousands of hours of the sporting action around the world".

The steel and glass structure covers an area of 900,000 sq ft (83,613 sq m).

Journalists will travel on a shuttle coach to the four-storey centre which will contain studios, catering facilities and a high street complete with banks and a post office.

After the Games the centre's roof will become a "brown roof" made of gravel and moss to enhance its environmental standards.

Lord Coe said: "Whilst the focus of the world will be on the sporting venues in 2012, the IBC will be a vital, yet mostly unseen part of Games-time operations."