London Olympic bosses knew of swimming pool block cost overruns years ago

The Department for Culture Media and Sport and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have finally admitted that proposals for the Olympics swimming pool block were known to over the budget as far back as January 2005. Sebastian Coe, the frontman for the Olympics project, and Tessa Jowell, the government face of the Olympics, had submitted London's bid to the International Olympic Committee with a promise the so-called aquatics centre would cost £73 million at 2004 prices.

Last month the ODA admitted the costs are now estimated to be £242 million, not counting an additional £61 million for a footbridge that will be part of the building's roof.