A new design will see floodlights hang from a newly constructed roof, which will illuminate a wide variety of events after the Rugby World Cup, including Premier League football, athletics, concerts, community days and other sporting events to take place in the Stadium on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

"The installation of the first of the floodlights is another huge step towards ensuring the stadium offers the best possible viewing experience for competitors and spectators enjoying the range of sports and entertainment that will take place there," said Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham.

"The conversion work will see the Stadium continue to be a world-class visitor attraction that benefits the residents of Newham, London and the nation as a whole."

The new floodlights being installed at the Olympic Stadium retain the triangular shape that were a feature of London 2012 ©London Legacy Development Corporation

Each floodlight measures 18 metres in length and weighs 45 tonnes.

Lifting each floodlight into place is a huge mechanical feat, taking up to 12 hours in total for each light.

It is hoped that the changes to the design will result in better acoustics and an enhanced spectator experience, with work on the floodlight paddles and the roof scheduled to be completed in advance of autumn tournament.

International infrastructure group Balfour Beatty is currently lifting the lights into place and the iconic triangular design shape that was a feature of the London 2012 Olympic Games will remain.

"Many people will have memories of London 2012 that centre around the Stadium and its iconic floodlights so it was really important to us to retain the design of the lights whilst transforming the Stadium into a world-class multi-use venue," said David Goldstone, chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation.

As work began on the floodlight towers, the steel frame for the halo that surrounds the base of the Stadium has been completed.

This structure will contain 96 turnstiles, 33 catering outlets and close to 1,000 toilets.

Time lapse cameras have captured footage of the work undertaken to complete the halo's steel frame as well as many other elements of the Stadium's transformation, which can be viewed here. 

The Barbarians will face Samoa in the first rugby union match held in the stadium ©Getty Images





The venue is due to host five matches at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, including Italy's pool stage match against Ireland and the bronze medal fixture. 

As part of the testing programme for the event, the Olympic Stadium will host its first rugby union match on August 29 with the Barbarians, a British based invitational team, set to take on Samoa.

The friendly will also form part of the Pacific Islander's preparations for the tournament, which is scheduled to take place over six weeks from September 18 to October 31, with the final held at Twickenham Stadium.

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