Wild Icon for 2012 Games Resembles Deformed Helix
Photo: Arup Group

A 115-m-tall looping latticework of tubular steel has been chosen to be the landmark for London’s 2012 Olympic Park. Standing 22 m taller than the Statue of Liberty, the “ArcelorMittal Orbit” will provide a high-level viewing platform between the main stadium and the Aquatics Centre. Funded substantially by steelmaker ArcelorMittal, the $29-million structure is the creation of London-based artist Anish Kapoor, who worked with Cecil Balmond, director of the Advanced Geometry Unit at Arup Group, London.