In pictures: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ready to open for events

The south of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, is due to open to the public tomorrow (5 April), nearly two years after it was unveiled for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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The London Legacy Development Corporation has spent the last 18 months completing the transformation. This Saturday will see the opening of five new permanent venues available for private and public events, including the Copper Box Arena, the Aquatics Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark.

The Here East digital data centre and the former Olympic Stadium are set to be fully operational by 2018. The Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre will be opening in June 2014, with the first event being the Investec Hockey Cup and NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters.

The park, which is larger than Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens combined, has already been booked for a number of high-profile events this year. These include the FINA/NVC Diving World Series, the Tour de France and the Holi Festival of Colours. Rugby World Cup matches are also scheduled to take place in Autumn 2015, while the IAAF World Athletics Championships will be held at the park in 2017.

Numerous walking trails, interactive water fountains and the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, the tallest interactive sculpture in the UK, are also opening this weekend.

Tracy Halliwell, director of business tourism and major events at London and Partners, said: "Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a stunning new events destination for London and we’re thrilled to see the venues in the park open their doors.

"The park itself is a fantastic new landmark for London and the venues within it are truly iconic and provide an inspirational backdrop for both business events and incentive travel."

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, added: "The opening of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks an historic chapter in London’s post-Olympic story. Our city’s newest park is crammed with spectacular attractions and activities set in acres of stunning green spaces.

"This is now a must-see destination for Londoners and visitors alike and forms a glittering centrepiece for our ambitious regeneration plans in Stratford and beyond."

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