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IAAF President Lamine Diack visited the offices of the organising committee of the London Olympic Games for the first time yesterday, and followed up with a visit to the Olympic Stadium site.

Speaking to media after the tour, he said: "When we were here in 2008, it was an empty piece of ground," Diack said. "It is very impressive to see the progress that has been made. Now I see that a fine stadium is going up. It will look fantastic during the Games."

President Diack’s visit was hosted by Lord Sebastian Coe, who is head of LOCOG and IAAF Vice-President, and he was also accompanied by Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champion Christine Ohuruogu, who lives in the vicinity of the new stadium in East London.

The 85,000-capacity venue, which will host athletics events and the opening and closing ceremonies in 2012, is to be converted after the games into a 25,000 seat arena to be used mainly for athletics, but may also serve other sports and entertainment events.

"Everything is clear now," said President Diack. "I am very happy with the way things are going. I see that London is keeping its promise that there will be a legacy of a stadium of 25,000 to be able to host national competitions and international competitions. A country with such an amazing tradition and culture for our sport deserves to have a top athletics venue. The stadium will not be a white elephant but a worthy addition to the sporting infrastructure in this country.“

President Diack said he envisions the stadium hosting one of the elite IAAF Diamond Series meetings and possibly future editions of the IAAF World Championships as there is a possibility for temporary seating to be added to raise the capacity for special events to 45,000.

Lord Coe said organizers were determined to leave a stadium that will serve future generations.

"It is important to have our legacy in place," he said. "We need a track-and-field legacy for this country."

(Source: IAAF)