The icing on the original cupcake was to be a fabric curtain enclosing the bones of the stadium, completing the bun sunk into the ground look and jollying the outer structure with images of sporty types gallivanting. Its function was not merely aesthetic; it was designed to minimise crosswinds inside the stadium but Lord Coe insists that its omission will not affect athletes' performances. Cutting the curtain will save a cool £7m.
Naturally, should a corporate sponsor come forward to claim the massive branding opportunities on a mega cupcake wrapper, the curtain could still be reinstated. But to be honest, we've grown rather fond of the exoskeletal stadium, which looks just lovely on the webcam this autumn morning.
