London 2012 announced yesterday that they had decided to rename the 7,000-capacity venue, which is also due to host the fencing leg of the modern pentathlon and goalball during the Paralympics, after officially taking over control of the Olympic Park from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). 

They claimed that it was recogntion of its boxed-shape and distnict copper cladding, which helps create a visual reference for spectators travelling to the venue.

The decision was announced on the day that British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Cabinet held their first meeting of the year in the centre of the Handball Arena, bringing the venue and its eye-catching multi-coloured seats unprecedented worldwide attention.


Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012, revealed recently that the outside of the Arena had been coated with horse urine to preserve its deep colour and prevent rusting.

"Retaining the name of the sport in the title of the venue is important to us," said Paul Goodwin, chief executive of British Handball.

"The Olympics has given handball a great opportunity to grow in popularity, and all the indications are that we are achieving that.

"Handball has seen a six-fold increase in participation across England alone, with almost 60,000 children and young people being introduced to the sport last year."

Handball is the most popular team sport for women in Europe, and the second most popular for men, British officials claim. 

They also claim its popularity has skyrocketed across Britain since London was awarded the Olympics seven years ago.

England Handball was set a target by Sport England of getting 3,000 youngsters regularly taking part in handball by 2013.

But latest figures show there are already 9,000, 18 months ahead of the deadline, officials claim.

"I think we deserve to have all our good work in developing the sport recognised by the authorities by not giving the venue a generic title which does nothing to reflect its usage," said Goodwin.

"Why have they not renamed other facilities in a similar vein?

"Perhaps the Olympic Velodrome will be called 'the big round wooden building' or the basketball arena renamed as 'the marshmallow'?"

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