Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) officials said the start of tiling work was a "milestone" in the development of the Olympic Park.

More than 180,000 white tiles, with blue tiles marking the lanes, will line the 50 metre competition and training pools and the dive pool, which have already been tested with 10 million litres of water.

In total, more than 850,000 ceramic tiles will line the pools, poolsides and changing rooms.

Work is also under way cladding the curved ceiling with more than 30,000 individual sections of timber and on the two 1,600 tonne temporary seating stands that will boost the venue to 17,500 seats for the Games.

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: "Starting tiling of the pools is another milestone towards completing the Aquatics Centre next summer ready for test events.

"With the covering of the sweeping roof complete and ceiling under way the venue is on track to become the gateway to the Games and a new facility for community and elite swimmers and divers after the Games."

Foster, a six-time World Championship medallist, competed in five Olympics for Britain, including Beijing in 2008, where he carried the flag during the Opening Ceremony.

He said: "The Aquatics Centre will be buzzing during the Games and afterwards will be a fantastic new facility for the Olympic and Paralympic athletes of the future and the local community."

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "This is real milestone for the Aquatics Centre which will see some of the most thrilling sporting action at Games time.

"It will be one of the most recognised and iconic venues in 2012 and we hope it will host many memorable medal winning moments for British swimmers. 

"It will also leave a lasting legacy for our elite and community swimmers after the Games - another benefit for London and the UK staging the Games in 2012."


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