Sport: Athletics, Cycling - Road

The Mall is an iconic location in central London and a popular backdrop for formal ceremonies and major sporting events.

Its iconic red road will also give the effect of a giant red carpet for athletes participating in the road events that start and finish at the venue during the London 2012 Games.

The design and build

The Mall was created as a procession route in the early 20th century. It runs from Buckingham Palace at its western end to Admiralty Arch and on to Trafalgar Square at its eastern end, and was designed to welcome the royal family and visiting heads of state to Buckingham Palace.

Following the celebrations to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and birthday in June, there will be a period of 36 days in which to erect the temporary structures required for the Games. These include spectator seating, scoreboards, video boards, tents, cabins and generators.

After the Games

After the London 2012 Games, all the temporary structures will be dismantled and The Mall returned to its usual state.