Cameron, who was accompanied by his Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, used the opportunity to announce new measures to support youth employment and inspect work carried out by apprentices on the Olympic Park.

Construction was started on the 6,500-capacity arena by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in July 2009 while the venue includes unique copper cladding, natural lighting shafts and multi-coloured seating of which the lower tier is retractable.

"That this great venue has been completed on time and within budget is testament to the hard work, expertise and skills of the Olympic Park workforce," saic Cameron.

"We are on track to stage a fantastic Olympic and Paralympic Games in London next summer."

The Handball Arena joins the Velodrome and Olympic Stadium, whichwere finished earlier this year.

Events to be staged there include the men's and women's preliminary stages and the women's quarter finals of the handball competition, the fencing discipline of the modern pentathlon and the goalball competition during the Paralympic Games.

The venue was designed and built with sustainability as a priority, London 2012 officials claim.

The copper cladding has a high recycled content, while the field of play can be naturally lit through 88 rooftop sun-pipes, achieving annual energy savings of up to 40 per cent and greater illumination than similar sized conventional lights.

During television broadcasting or poor weather, the system can be switched off to allow for electrical lighting to be used.


Water usage at the venue is also saved by 40 per cent through a rain harvesting system that feeds into toilets and other non-potable systems.

"The Handball Arena milestone is another example of just how far we have come since construction started on the Olympic Park three years ago," said John Armitt, chairman of the ODA.

"The arena is compact, sustainably built and will provide an excellent sports and community venue for London long after the Games are over."

After the Games, capacity at the arena will be increased to accommodate up to 7,500 spectators as it becomes a multi-use venue for community use, athletic training and events.

The retractable tier of lower seating will enable a variety of activities to take place inside, ranging from international competition to community sports such as basketball, handball, badminton, boxing, martial arts, netball, table tennis and volleyball.

A health and fitness club with changing facilities and a cafe for use by the local community are also planned.

"It is wonderful to have another permanent sport facility located in the Park which will provide an opportunity for all of these sports to continue to develop in legacy," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"With the venue completed well in advance of Games-time, we can stage Handball and Goalball test events later this year under similar conditions to Games-time to ensure we get our planning just right."

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