Queen visits London Olympic Park which is set to be named after her

November 3 - The Queen has visited Olympic Park to inspect preparations for the 2012 London Games as the controversy over whether it should be named after her continues to rage.

At Stratford from a viewing platform she saw the under-construction stadium and venues.

Wearing a purple dress and hat, the Queen also helped plant the first of over 4,000 trees that will create the parklands before walking a section of the 100 metre track and even crossing what will become the finish line, watched by some of the 7,000 construction workers.

The Queen last visited the Olympic Park four years ago just after the bid was won when the huge site was just a wasteland.

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Her Majesty back to show the progress we've made.

"The skyline in this part of London is being changed forever with the Olympic Park will become a home to world class sport in 2012 and home to a new community afterwards."

The Olympics and Paralympics will coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee when she is expected to make history as the first head of state to open the Games twice having performed the same duty at Montreal in 1976.

The visit comes amid debate over whether the site should be named Elizabeth Park after the Queen.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) wants to keep Olympic in the name and are unhappy they have not been consulted over the plan.

Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the BOA, was among those who accompanied the Queen during her visit.

He said: "The athletes’ experience will be at the heart of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"It was great to see Her Majesty The Queen review the field of progress on the Olympic Park, where many of our athletes will compete in 2012 and where we are confident Team GB will deliver an outstanding performance, cheered on by the home crowd."

As well as Coe and Moynihan, the Queen was accompanied by Sir David Brewer, Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London; Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister, Boris Johnson, the London Mayor; and John Armitt , the chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

Jowell said: "This is a memorable day for the Olympic project.

"Her Majesty has been a firm supporter of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and I am delighted that she has been able to visit the Park at its construction stage and meet some of the people behind its incredible progress.

"In years to come the Olympic Park will become an iconic corner of London so it is fitting that the Queen will be planting the first tree on the site which will live on well beyond 2012."

Armitt said: "Planting the tree today is the first step in the creation of a new green space that will reflect the traditions of great British parks and will create a fantastic backdrop for the Games."