Olympic Stadium opens in Kyiv

"The whole country is celebrating a gift to all our people," said Viktor Yanukovych, the president of Ukraine, at the official opening of Kyiv's Olympic Stadium, the venue for the UEFA EURO 2012 final.

President Yanukovych, who joined numerous dignitaries from the political arena and the sporting world, in addition to 50,000 people at the opening ceremony for the refurbished stadium, expressed great pride at the inauguration of a venue that will host five UEFA EURO 2012 fixtures including the final itself on 1 July.

"Today the whole country is celebrating," said Yanukovych. "The new stadium is a gift to all our people, especially youngsters and children among whom champions of the future are being brought up. The successful reconstruction of the NSK Olimpiyskiy has become the most telling project for Ukraine's image. I have no doubt that, at UEFA EURO 2012, Kyiv and Ukraine will welcome visitors from many European states to the very highest standards."

The two-hour opening ceremony, which was broadcast live on national television, featured 2,500 volunteers and 500 actors, dancers, acrobats and artists from various countries who appeared in a vast theatrical production. Other performers included popular Ukrainian singers Ani Lorak, Taisia Povaliy and Gaitana – a Friend of UEFA EURO 2012 – while the highlight of the evening was a concert by the Colombian singer Shakira. The ceremony concluded with a spectacular fireworks display.

The full reconstruction of the stadium has reached its completion just over three years after work began. Now able to seat 68,000 spectators and boasting two giant 103m² screens, the arena meets UEFA requirements for elite-class venues. The multifunctional complex also includes numerous restaurants, bars and shops.

Journalists will be able to work in excellent conditions in the new press seating area, which can accommodate up to 1,497 people, with specific room for a further 366 television and radio commentators. The first live football reports will be filed when the Olympic Stadium stages a friendly between Ukraine and Germany on 11 November.

Meanwhile, the new Lviv stadium, the last of four Ukrainian venues for UEFA EURO 2012 to be completed, will open its doors on 29 October, with Ukraine hosting Austria in its inaugural match on 15 November.

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