WELL WELL WELL, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SO THE ORIGINAL SUPER OLYMPIC STADIUM IS TO BE "TRIMMED DOWN"  A BIT - WHILST THE COST OF IT GOES THROUGH THE ROOF  ( although the roof on this latest version will now only cover two thirds of the stadium).      IF YOU ARE NOT A VIP, OR A LONDON MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,TAKE A RAINCOAT AND BROLLY WITH YOU BECAUSE THE CHANCES ARE THAT THE PART OF THE STADIUM THAT WILL REMAIN UNCOVERED WILL BE  WHERE THE CHEAPER SEATS ARE, AND WHERE 27,000 SPECTATORS WILL HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THE RAIN OR LEAVE THE STADIUM.

THE SENIOR PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT FROM THE STADIUM'S DESIGNERS, ROD SHEARD, IS REPORTED AS SAYING THAT " WE WILL LOSE SOME OF THE GAMES TIME TO BAD WEATHER, WE DID IN SYDNEY.  BUT FOR THOSE NOT COVERED BY THE ROOF THERE WILL BE PLACES TO GO OUTSIDE THE ARENA IF THERE'S INCLEMENT WEATHER "     SO THERE YOU ARE FANS - IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET WET AND CATCH A COLD, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE BOGGED DOWN WITH CARRYING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AROUND WITH YOU ALL DAY, JUST PRAY THAT IT DOESN'T RAIN OR,  IF IT DOES RAIN,  CLEAR OFF OUT OF THE STADIUM TO TRY TO FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SHELTER.

OH, AND WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO KEEP DRY, YOU HAD BETTER GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND DRINK FROM THE LITTLE OUTLETS IN THE "FAN ZONES" OUTSIDE THE STADIUM BECAUSE THE NEW "DOWNSIZED"  STADIUM HAS NO FACILITIES FOR FOOD AND DRINK (cuts down the risk of fire from the kitchens they say).        IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THERE WILL BE A FEE TO ENTER THESE "FAN ZONES" WHERE THE ACTION CAN BE VIEWED ON LARGE SCREENS, ALTHOUGH IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE BID THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT £10 PER DAY - BUT THAT WAS WHEN THEY ALSO SAID THE  WHOLE OF THE BID AMOUNTED TO £2.4 BILLION ! ! ! !

MR SHEARD IS ALSO REPORTED AS DESCRIBING THE NEW " DOWNSIZED" STADIUM AS BEING  A " "SIMPLE, BUT CLEVER BOWL" AND "CLEVER BUILDING".  (well he would say that wouldn't he?).   THIS SIMPLE, BUT CLEVER BOWL WILL BE COVERED WITH A HIGH TEC FABRIC CURTAIN, WHICH WILL BE RECYCLED INTO SOUVENIR LONDON 2012 BAGS.WHEN THE GAMES FINISH - SOUVENIR BAGS ! ! !

AND GUESS WHAT ?  BECAUSE OF THE "CLEVER BUILDING" AND THE EFFORTS MADE TO KEEP OLYMPIC COSTS UNDER CONTROLTHE NEW STADIUM WILL NOW ONLY COST £495 MILLION - INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL £280 MILLION.    THAT'S RIGHT, READ IT AGAIN, FROM £280 MILLION TO £495 - AN INCREASE OF ANOTHER £215 MILLION, AND EVEN THIS FIGURE IS NOT GUARANTEED.      COME ON LONDONERS,  ARE THEY NOT TAKING THE MICKEY OUT OF ALL OF US.