Wembley set to be confirmed as London 2012 venue

By James Toney, Sportsbeat

BADMINTON and rhythmic gymnastics have agreed 'in principle' to stage their London 2012 events at Wembley Arena.

THUMBS UP: IOC inspector Denis Oswald expects the international federations of both gymnastics and badminton to approve London 2012 venue switch - despite fears over transport times

Denis Oswald, chief of the International Olympic Committee's London co-ordination commission, claimed he was confident the controversial venue change would be rubber-stamped ‘within weeks'.

Speaking at the end of his fifth two-day inspection visit, Oswald also claimed London was ‘on track' to deliver a successful Games, following a series of meetings with Locog staff, headed by chairman Lord Coe and chief executive Paul Deighton, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell MP and members of the London Mayor's office.

London 2012 officials believe they can save £20 million by moving badminton and rhythmic gymnastics from a temporary venue on the Greenwich Peninsula to Wembley Arena - more than 20 miles away across congested central London.

And, in a bid to smooth over worries about travel times, athletes will be housed in hotels near the venue on competition days.

"We have achieved an agreement in principle which still needs to be formalised by the international associations but this question will finally be resolved in the coming weeks," said Oswald.

"Proposals have been made to use Wembley, an existing facility that has been refurbished. The two federations concerned have been very co-operative and they understand that in the current economic situation, it was wise to look for a cheaper solution.

"However, they are looking after their athletes and it's important that the travel time between the Olympic Village and the venue is not too long.

"If the travel time is longer than 45 minutes, it's important to have a local facility, where athletes can stay during competition or go to between sessions.

"I'm sure in the first few months of 2010, everything will be finalised."

The Badminton World Federation will discuss the matter at their ruling council meeting in Bali tomorrow and, despite the concerns expressed by chief executive Thomas Lund, are expected to agree with the move – providing conditions about alternative accommodation are met.

London's original host city contract pledged that no competitor would be a commuter and promised to deliver a compact Games with minimum journey times between accommodation and venues.

But Oswald claims a meltdown in world finances has given them special dispensation to think again.

"This is an exceptional circumstance, I don't think we can say London went back on its promise, " he added.

"When we had the request we felt it was reasonable, providing a number of factors are applied to help the athletes.

"We are facing a very special situation with a global economic crisis.

"Athletes will still have the opportunity to stay in the Village, before the Games and after their own competitions.

"There are many other athletes who aren't staying in the Village during their events - sailors, rowers and canoeists for example."