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Architect in London's debt
28th October 2005, 07:37
HOK Sport, the leading architectural practice in British stadium design, has been appointed to produce the technical briefs for the London 2012 Olympic venues. The firm, led by the affable Australian Rod Sheard, has an impressive portfolio, ranging from the new Wembley Stadium to the forthcoming Centre Court roof at Wimbledon. More interestingly, Sheard played a central role in one of the more intriguing episodes in the final days of the campaign to secure the games, in Singapore in July.
Two days before the final vote he appeared at a London 2012 press conference and made critical observations about Stade de France, the centrepiece of the hot favourite Paris's bid. Though mild, Sheard's critique, made at the behest of the London team, appeared to breach International Olympic Committee regulations and ensured that a Paris press conference taking place next door immediately afterwards was dominated by questions about its stadium.
London stressed Sheard's independence, and half-heartedly tried to play down the incident, but privately bid strategists were delighted at the success of the calculated gamble. Sheard will be equally pleased if HOK Sport wins further contracts as a result of the victory.
Source
Paul Kelso
The Guardian
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