Roof leaks at London 2012 Velodrome doesn't affect Olympic completion

By Tom Degun at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in London

August 7 - Roof leaks have been spotted at the London 2012 Velodrome but officials have promised that they have had no bearing on the Olympic competition that Britain have dominated.

Droplets of water reportedly fell into the reporters' mixed zone at the edge of the track and it was confirmed that three minor leaks had appeared in the roof of the venue, nicknamed the Pringle due to its shape.

However, there have been no visible signs of water falling on the track itself and London 2012 have confirmed the competition will not be disrupted.

"The heavy rain has identified a couple of very minor leaks in the Velodrome," said a London 2012 spokesperson.

"It won't have any impact on today's competition and will be easily fixed."

The Velodrome has been designed to ensure optimum conditions for cyclists and provide the Games with a record-breaking track, which has so far proved the case.

The roof is strung with steel cables and has been designed to collect rain water to help reduce mains water usage.

But the fact that the competition will not be hampered by the leak is a huge boost for Britain, who have so far claimed five gold medals and a bronze from seven events over the past five days and who have a further three medal hopes in the competition tonight, which will mark the final evening of the action at the Velodrome.

Victoria Pendleton of Great Britain is conratulated by Olga Panarina of Belarus after winning the women's sprint track cycling quarter-finals

Victoria Pendleton will defend her women's individual sprint title, Sir Chris Hoy goes in search of a record sixth Olympic gold medal when he does likewise in the keirin and Laura Trott will bid for her second success of these Games in the omnium.

Should all three be triumphant Team GB's cycling team, who at these Games have also been able to celebrate the victory of Bradley Wiggins in the time trial, would surpass its phenomenal gold medal haul from Beijing 2008 when it claimed eight victories.

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