How the Orbit tower was launched
Sally Williams has been up the Orbit tower and discovered how the whole idea began.
Live updates
Artist Hails Olympic Orbit tower 'awkward'
The twisting red tower standing at 114.5 metres next to the Olympic Stadium is "awkward" and "beautiful" according to its designer.
Read the full storyAdvertisement
Time lapse of Orbit construction
Orbit to close after games
by Simon Harris, Olympic Correspondent
The giant sculpture towering over London's Olympic park will remain closed to the public for eighteen months after the games.
Read the full storyOrbit to close for eighteen months
by Simon Harris, Olympic CorrespondentThe giant sculpture towering over London's Olympic park will remain closed to the public for eighteen months after the games.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit was commissioned by London mayor Boris Johnson as a work of art and viewing platform.
It is expected to attract five thousand visitors a day when it opens on July 28th - the day after the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
But the 2,000-tonne structure will close at the end of the Parlaympics.
The post-games redevelopment of the Olympic Park means the Orbit will not re-open until Easter 2014.
The view from the top of the Orbit
by Sally Williams
The view from the top of the Orbit.
Today press have been invited to come and see the view from what is said to be the UK's tallest structure.
Set next to the stadium it boasts views across the whole of london and beyond... And it's not a bad spot to watch the 100 metres from! Entry during the games will be by ticket only.
Advertisement
Orbit tower
The centrepiece of the Olympic park, the 120 metre tall Orbital, designed by Anish Kapoor, will officially be opened today.
Today's top stories
