Menu
27/11/2009
Wembley Arena 'To Be Olympic Venue'
London's Wembley Arena will house some of the events in the 2012 Olympics should the construction of a temporary venue near the Olympic Park work out as being too expensive.
The venue will be used for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics during the next Olympic Games.
Such a move will mean that a temporary £40m venue will not after all need to be built in Greenwich.
Organisers were previoulsy under pressure to house some events and to ensure athletes could train and stay near any venue, sticking to the "compete and not commute" slogan.
Denis Oswald, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, revealed the agreement: "Proposals in that direction have been made by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) to use Wembley: using an existing facility rather than building a temporary venue in the park."
He also came to London's support when it was suggested they had reneged on their promise for athletes to reduce travel time, saying that the global financial crisis had caused "exceptional circumstances".
"The two venues are exceptions and we should not forget that training facilities are all very close to the Village and athletes spend 90-95% of the time training rather than competing".
In fact, athletes would have hotel rooms within walking distance of Wembley, avoiding in this way travel to east London.
"If in two sports the athletes have to travel a little further than expected and can walk from a hotel to the venue I don't think it can be an issue," Oswald said.
Locog Chairman Sebastian Coe stated: "It's a combination of cost - everyone recognises the world has changed dramatically since when we bid - but it's also about legacy and athlete experience."
The London Mayor Boris Johnson thanked the two federations for understanding their concerns to save money wherever they can "in these tough economic circumstances".
He added: "I am confident that Sebastian Coe and his team will ensure that every athlete competing at Wembley in 2012 will not only have a great venue, but all the facilities they need, right on the doorstep, to help them go for gold."
The deal is not finished yet but it is expected to resolved in the coming few weeks.
Meanwhile, the Badminton World Federation will discuss the issue at its annual meeting in Bali this week.
(CL/BMcC)
The venue will be used for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics during the next Olympic Games.
Such a move will mean that a temporary £40m venue will not after all need to be built in Greenwich.
Organisers were previoulsy under pressure to house some events and to ensure athletes could train and stay near any venue, sticking to the "compete and not commute" slogan.
Denis Oswald, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, revealed the agreement: "Proposals in that direction have been made by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) to use Wembley: using an existing facility rather than building a temporary venue in the park."
He also came to London's support when it was suggested they had reneged on their promise for athletes to reduce travel time, saying that the global financial crisis had caused "exceptional circumstances".
"The two venues are exceptions and we should not forget that training facilities are all very close to the Village and athletes spend 90-95% of the time training rather than competing".
In fact, athletes would have hotel rooms within walking distance of Wembley, avoiding in this way travel to east London.
"If in two sports the athletes have to travel a little further than expected and can walk from a hotel to the venue I don't think it can be an issue," Oswald said.
Locog Chairman Sebastian Coe stated: "It's a combination of cost - everyone recognises the world has changed dramatically since when we bid - but it's also about legacy and athlete experience."
The London Mayor Boris Johnson thanked the two federations for understanding their concerns to save money wherever they can "in these tough economic circumstances".
He added: "I am confident that Sebastian Coe and his team will ensure that every athlete competing at Wembley in 2012 will not only have a great venue, but all the facilities they need, right on the doorstep, to help them go for gold."
The deal is not finished yet but it is expected to resolved in the coming few weeks.
Meanwhile, the Badminton World Federation will discuss the issue at its annual meeting in Bali this week.
(CL/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 May 2008
'On Your Marks, Get Set, Go' For Olympic Stadium
Work on London's Olympic stadium is set to commence in two weeks, it is reported. The stadium which has a budget of £496 million and which will seat 80,000 people will be the centrepiece for the 2012 Games.
'On Your Marks, Get Set, Go' For Olympic Stadium
Work on London's Olympic stadium is set to commence in two weeks, it is reported. The stadium which has a budget of £496 million and which will seat 80,000 people will be the centrepiece for the 2012 Games.
16 July 2012
Olympic Athletes Begin To Arrive In London
With 11 days until the start of the games, athletes and officials have begun to arrive at London’s Olympic Village. Heathrow Airport is expecting its busiest day on record and on the main route out - the M4 - the first priority "Games Lane" is now in operation. Work has also started at the lab that will conduct some 6,000 drugs tests.
Olympic Athletes Begin To Arrive In London
With 11 days until the start of the games, athletes and officials have begun to arrive at London’s Olympic Village. Heathrow Airport is expecting its busiest day on record and on the main route out - the M4 - the first priority "Games Lane" is now in operation. Work has also started at the lab that will conduct some 6,000 drugs tests.
27 July 2011
London 2012 Celebrates 'Year To Go'
With exactly one year to go until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, organisers confirm that preparations for the Games are on track and London’s vision to host Olympic and Paralympic Games that inspire the world and acts as a catalyst for lasting change, is set to become reality.
London 2012 Celebrates 'Year To Go'
With exactly one year to go until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, organisers confirm that preparations for the Games are on track and London’s vision to host Olympic and Paralympic Games that inspire the world and acts as a catalyst for lasting change, is set to become reality.
16 January 2004
London unveils 2012 Olympic bid
Prime Minister Tony Blair joined Olympic athletes, politicians, business leaders and Londoners for the unveiling of the capital's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games bids.
London unveils 2012 Olympic bid
Prime Minister Tony Blair joined Olympic athletes, politicians, business leaders and Londoners for the unveiling of the capital's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games bids.
19 November 2004
London reveals 2012 Olympic Games plan
London's Olympic Games and Paralympic Games would be a games for the next generation, according to bid Chairman Sebastian Coe. Unveiling London 2012's detailed plans, the former double Olympic champion outlined how the city would help the stars of the future follow in his footsteps.
London reveals 2012 Olympic Games plan
London's Olympic Games and Paralympic Games would be a games for the next generation, according to bid Chairman Sebastian Coe. Unveiling London 2012's detailed plans, the former double Olympic champion outlined how the city would help the stars of the future follow in his footsteps.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
