The 275-metre long building will form part of the Main Media Complex - a 24-hour media hub which also includes the Main Press Centre (MPC) - while the complex will cater for over 20,000 broadcasters, photographers and print journalists

It has been designed to be as flexible as possible to accommodate a range of potential tenants and uses after the Games, while a high street is located outside the IBC and MPC, containing dedicated retail, leisure and support services which can only be accessed by accredited press and broadcasters.

The complex will also have a catering village and a multi-storey car park which links the two main venues together via a structure that includes a conference room for up to 700 people.

"The Olympic Park project is on schedule and within budget," said ODA Chairman John Armitt.

"Today's announcement of the completion of the International Broadcast Centre means that with over a year to go to the Games' five of the six main venues on the site have now finished construction, allowing time for LOCOG to install overlay and run test events.

"The ODA has hit all of its milestones to date and we are firmly on track to deliver the venues and infrastructure required for the Games and in legacy as planned."

Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson added: "The IBC is fundamental to the worldwide success of the Games housing thousands of the world's media and sending pictures right across the world.

"As one of the largest venues on the Park, its completion with a year to go is a great achievement, and is yet another example of businesses across the country coming together to deliver for the United Kingdom."

The announcement of the competition was coupled with the ODA publishing the expenses of their Board and Executive Management Board alongside their Annual Report.

ODA chairman Armitt racked up the largest expenses bill for the organisation in 2010-2011, with a bill of £6,842.80 ($11,026), followed by deputy chairman Sir Roy McNulty who claimed £5,460.15 ($8,798).

Meanwhile, former chief executive David Higgins claimed £1,908.60 ($3,080), while current chief executive Dennis Hone claimed £817 ($1,317).

The Annual Report published showed that the wage bill of the Executive Management Board stands at £1,991,000 ($3,209,094).

Hone, received a £274,000 ($441,606) salary, £79,000 ($127,324) performance related pay and £48,000 ($77,362) in employers pension contributions in a £401,000 ($646,292) package in 2010 to 2011.

Higgins, who is now chief executive of Network Rail, walked away with a £325,000 ($523,803) salary, £179,000 ($288,476) in performance related pay and £40,000 ($64,000) in employers pension contributions in a package worth £544,000 ($876,710).

Packages for the executive management board ranged from £218,000 ($351,329) to £544,000 ($876,710).

The ODA's accounts for same period in 2009 to 2010 showed the ODA directors received packages worth between £257,000 ($414,053) and £372,000 ($599,329).

The exception is finance director Gerry Luck, who has been in place since February 2011 and received £23,000 ($37,055) as a salary, £6,000 ($9,667) in performance pay and £3,000 ($4,833) in pension contributions.

The Executive Management Board, apart from the chief executive and the finance director, are in line for a share-out of £319,000 ($513,941) in performance related pay.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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