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Games readiness put to the test
15:45, Jul 16 2012
London's Olympic preparations were put to the test on Monday as the first competitors arrived at the Athletes' Village in Stratford and the transport network faced record numbers of people.
With the 2012 Games just 11 days away, the capital's infrastructure was in the spotlight, and organisers were hoping enough had been done to ensure the final countdown got off to a good start.
As the world's finest sportsmen and women started to flow into Heathrow and on to the Olympic Park, athletes reported mixed experiences.
Madelein Meppelink, from the Dutch beach volleyball team, said her arrival at Heathrow's Terminal 4 had been painless. "It was really quick, it's really special, they are so helpful and there's so many people to help you. We never had our luggage so quick."
She was one of around 237,000 passengers expected to pass through the west London airport - breaking the previous record of 233,562 set on July 31 last year.
Meanwhile, two-time world 400 metres hurdles champion and Olympic silver medallist, Kerron Clement, was unhappy with his sluggish journey across London as teething problems blighted the route.
More used to living life in the fast lane, the 26-year-old American tweeted he was unimpressed with a 25-mile bus ride taking more than four hours.
"Um, so we've been lost on the road for 4hrs. Not a good first impression London," he wrote. "Athletes are sleepy, hungry and need to pee. Could we get to the Olympic Village please."
In another journey, from central London to the Olympic Park, the driver of a bus carrying a group of Press Association journalists made a U-turn and consulted a London map. However, the journey was otherwise very smooth.
The first Games Lane at the site of the previous M4 bus lane, which operated for 3.5 miles between junctions three and two on the London-bound carriageway, is now up and running. The remaining lanes will open next Wednesday - July 25 - at 6am.
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