The decision by the Olympic Board, who met today, follows months of uncertainty over the venues for some sports as planners sought to cut building costs in the face of the economic downturn.

 

A statement said: "The Olympic Board today agreed the proposal to use existing facilities at Wembley Arena to host two sports rather than build a temporary venue on the North Greenwich Peninsula.

 

"This proposal is subject to the approval of the international badminton and rhythmic gymnastics federations."

 

London 2012 also confirmed that shooting would go ahead as planned at Woolwich Barracks just across the Thames from the main Olympic Park.

 

The move follows a compromise deal agreed earlier this week by London Mayor Boris Johnson and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell who agreed to support plans for shooting to remain at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich if the other two stakeholders on the Board, London 2012 and the British Olympic Association (BOA), agreed to badminton and rhythmic gymnastics moving to Wembley.

 

British Gymnastics have already said that they are happy for the sport to be moved to Wembley but Badminton England and the International Badminton Federation (IBF) have promised to fight plans to relocate them because they claim that the estimated 35 minute journey from the Olympic Village in Stratford across London is unfair on players preparing for early morning matches.

 

British Shooting have criticised the choice of Woolwich, arguing that it would leave no lasting legacy, but their campaign has been undermined because the International Shooting Federation (ISF) has backed London 2012, claiming that it will give the sport a high-profile showcase.

 

Fencing and volleyball have already been switched to the existing ExCel exhibition centre instead of a temporary venue while the original canoe and kayaking venue had to be scrapped because of contamination.

 

The decision to re-locate badminton and rhythmic gymnastics to Wembley Arena follows the refusal of boxing to move there from ExCel.

 

There was opposition from the world governing body, the AIBA and the BABA and the they were backed by the BOA, who supported the argument that it was unfair for boxers to have to travel to Wembley for a weigh-in and then have to return for their fight.

 

After an initial deadline was missed in March the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had become increasingly concerned that London had failed to nail down all its venues for the Games. 

 

London 2012 promised today that the new proposals would be presented to the IOC's Coordination Commission next month.

 

Final approval must be given by the IOC's ruling Executive Board, who are due to meet in Lausanne in December.

 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected].

 

 

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