What happens in London after the Summer Games?

The Fate Of London's Olympic Hotspots

What will happen to the Olympic village, Aquatic Centre and other Summer Games' venues now that the athletes have left?

The Olympic Stadium

A spot where hearts have been broken, dreams achieved and records smashed, the Olympic Stadium was designed so that spectators were as close to the action as possible. Built around 14 lighting towers and with no less than 532 floodlights to ensure high-definition quality for television, the Olympic Stadium has become an iconic symbol on the London skyline. There have been several bids to decide the stadium's fate, with a number of Premier League football clubs hoping to claim it as their own, although the organisers are keen to retain some kind of athletics track. According to The Guardian the pitch would have to be replaced to meet Premier League standards. The stadium will need to be bought by an enterprise with Premier League-type finances in order to recoup the estimated £486 million it cost to build.

The Aquatics Centre

This has the capacity to hold 17,500 people but this will be reduced to 2,500 after the Games when the pools are opened to the public. With a 50 metre swimming pool, 50 metre warm-up pool and a 25 metre competition pool, there will plenty of room for future Olympic hopefuls to practice.

The Velodrome

There has been some serious excitement at the cycling this year with Chris Hoy overtaking Steve Redgrave as the British Olympian with the most gold medals after his sixth win this week. Victoria Pendleton has also fought hard for British women's cycling, and there is no doubt both will spur many youngsters to take to their bikes. According to the official London 2012 website, the Velodrome will form part of a new VeloPark to be built after the Games end, for both community and elite use. Additional road and mountain biking facilities will be added, as well as a reconfigured BMX track.

Waterpolo Arena and Basketball Arena

These are both to be dismantled, though the London 2012 site claims that elements of each will be reused elsewhere. How exactly these elements will be recycled remains to be seen.

Weymouth and Portland

The area used for sailing on the southwest coast of England has long been a hub for boat-lovers, both professional and occasional. Since the games were confirmed, these facilities have been updated to a first class standard which will be enjoyed by sailors for years to come. Those who partake in elite training and competitive racing will do the bulk of their preparation in Weymouth.

The International Broadcast Centre

The space from which our favourite television reporters and broadcasters have commentated on the Games will not go to waste. Plans are underway to convert the area into 80,000 square metres of business space to create jobs in and around the Stratford area. In conjunction with this, the Athletes Village, where everyone who competed stayed during the Games, will be turned into long-term housing.