Olympic sculpture takes pride of place

Sculpture made of Portland limestone Credit: Duncan Sleightholme

Visitors arriving at Weymouth railway station will now be greeted by a stone sculpture of the Olympic Rings. It was carved by local stonemasons using world-renowned Portland limestone.

The Rings were craned into place early this morning. The sculpture is made up of 10 separate stones and took a total of 190 hours to complete. It will stand 2.5 metres tall, 1 metre deep, and 3.8 metres long.

Olympic rings craned into place Credit: Duncan Sleightholme

The sculpture weighs around 9,000kg and was fitted together at a factory in Portland before being placed into position by crane.

Mayor celebrates arrival of olympic sculpture Credit: Duncan Sleightholme

Organisers hope the Rings will provide a distinctive welcome for visitors coming to Weymouth for the London 2012 Olympic Games sailing events.

Olympic rings provide a welcome to Weymouth Credit: Duncan Sleightholme

After the Games, it is planned that the Rings will be moved to Portland.