After the controversy surrounding the London 2012 Olympic logo, reporters wondered just how wacky the design for the main stadium would be.

The jigsaw-like logo, which is supposed to resemble the date of the Games, was criticised for being too abstract, while its animated flashing version was said to pose a health hazard.

But when the press, sponsors and VIPs sat down on a pile of mud at the building site in Stratford in east London, you could feel the muted disappointment among the hacks. After all, hadn’t the cost of the stadium shot up by 77 percent to 496 million pounds?

Where were the towers or the arches? Where were the wings or the sails?

Not even being told we were sitting on the finishing line seemed to lift the spirits.

The designer tried to convince us, saying the wrap around the stadium may feature a mosaic, with pixelated images of athletes which will come into focus from afar.

Athletes attending did their best when they said they had goose pimples just seeing the warm-up area. And there was clapping among the VIPs.

But it was not another Wembley with its soaring arch, the designer himself admitted.

It was not a Cardiff Millennium Stadium with its metal arrows, and it was not a Beijing ‘nest’ with its intricate lattice of steelwork.

But it was practical, as the designer said. Temporary seating will be removed after the Games to leave a 25,000 seat stadium to be used for athletics and the community.

Let’s hope he’s right when he says its compactness will help create a special atmosphere inside.

Sebastian Coe said the negativity shown by Londoners towards hosting the 2012 Olympic Games doesn't get him down.

But he must have had the wind knocked out of him by the questions and sometimes anger shown by local residents and politicians in recent question and answer sessions.

During meetings with the London Assembly and Newham residents, Coe and various other important Olympic-planning bods were constantly put on the spot by doubters about the costs and financing of the Games.

"We're being taken for a ride over costs," said one councillor.

At one stage during a meeting at Stratford Circus Arts Centre, in Newham, near the site of the proposed main stadium, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was forced to dismiss similarities with the much under-used and unloved Millennium Dome.

Coe and co were keen to stress the legacy the Games will provide, including providing employment, skills, affordable housing and business space. But residents were more concerned about the now.

What about the cyclists who have had to give up their track to make way for the Olympic park only for their replacement to be held up by a protected breed of newt?

What about the effects of contamination that has already forced the canoeing events to be transferred to another site?

What about the mum and dad who have to drive their daughter to Sheffield to train because there aren't diving facilities?

Surely the emphasis should be on the youngsters and their dream of competing in 2012 rather than on buildings, one councillor asked.

That prompted the double-gold medallist Coe to suggest the "world was beginning to wobble" if the councillor was implying he didn't understand the demands of training.

"Hit a nerve, have I?" she retorted.

And what about the cats being rounded up from the site, asked one woman? Well, 150 have been collected already, an official answered.

Coe must be wondering how much more cattiness there is to come