British Library to become IAAF London 2012 HQ

The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) will take over the British Library’s Conference Centre, St Pancras, from July 22 to August 13. The IAAF will be using the library’s conference centre facilities as its London 2012 Olympic headquarters.

The IAAF will be using the meeting rooms as fully converted offices, the auditorium will be used for speeches and press conferences and the foyer and bar area will be used as a reception and catering space.

The hire was agreed by a variety of parties including: Peyton & Byrne, which run the British Library’s Conference facilities, London and Partners; the IAAF and LOCOG.

David Read, British Library’s head of facilities and property commented on the hire: “The library is delighted that an international organisation such as the IAAF has agreed to hire the library’s conference centre. This hire is part of a broader range of activity that the library is planning for the summer of 2012 that will also include two major public exhibitions. We hope that the library becomes a hub of activity during the Olympic period and we look forward to welcoming IAAF officials to one of the UK’s greatest institutions.”