Edwards is still the world record holder for the triple jump

Edwards, who won gold in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, has been involved with the planning of the 2012 Games.

And he said the stadium is an example of organisers making sure athletes, and the local community, are put first.

"In terms of atmosphere I think it will be electric. I also think it's incredibly innovative," he said.

"It will work during Games time but also afterwards will leave a facility that can be used for the community and rather than be some big white elephant it will be a symbol of the regeneration project."

The �496m stadium is planned to accommodate 80,000 spectators during the Games, when it will host athletics events and the opening and closing ceremonies.

606: DEBATE Do you agree with Edwards' comments?

It will then have its upper two tiers removed to leave a 25,000-capacity venue to be used by residents of east London.

Edwards said the process of allowing athletes to have their say on Olympic venues means that spectators would get to see stars perform at their peak.

"We've got this roof now which is going to go round the whole stadium," he added.

"It obviously has a financial implication but the reason for it was not so much aesthetic but because it was good for the wind dynamics in the stadium.

"We wanted it because we wanted to create the best possible environment for the athletes to perform."