London's Olympic Stadium completed

LONDON, March 29 (UPI) -- The last section of turf was installed Tuesday at London's Olympic Stadium, marking completion of construction of the 80,000-seat, $860 million structure.

Members of the International Olympic Committee and the organizing committee for the 2012 London Summer Olympics were on hand to participate in putting down the last of the turf.

The running track is yet to be completed but officials had planned for it to be finished later to protect the surface ahead of the Games, which begin July 27, 2012.

"To complete a complicated project such as this in less than three years is testament to the skill and professionalism of the U.K. construction industry," Olympic Delivery Authority Chairman John Armitt said.

"I would like to thank the Team Stadium consortium and all of the workers for their hard work and commitment. It is thanks to them that we can today celebrate this huge milestone for the London 2012 project."

Officials said the stadium was completed on time and under budget. In addition to track and field events, the stadium will be the site of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Games.