London 2012 proposed venues

The stadium, with a capacity of 20,000, will feature two 50m pools and a competition diving pool.

Zaha Hadid's design also features an S-shaped roof, inspired by the river it will be built alongside in the Lower Lea Valley.

The Aquatics Centre is the first new venue to be revealed in London's plans to host the Olympics.

It will form part of the planned regeneration of a 500-acre site in Stratford, East London.

Keith Mills, chief executive of London 2012, said the design would also provide new facilities for local communities after the Games.

"This is an oustanding design that will create a spectacular building, delivering the essential 'wow' factor for the 2012 Games," said Keith Mills, chief executive of London 2012.

"It will then be cleverly transformed following the Games by taking away the majority of the seats, turning it into more intimate spaces suitable for community use."

David Sparkes, chief executive of British Swimming, greeted the design as an "exciting" project.

"We believe it will be one of the world's leading pools when built," he said.

"The building of this pool will put London on the world map and open up massive opportunities for the sport within the community while reinvigorating London's interest in swimming."