IOC backs London Olympic stadium switch

The International Olympic Committee says they are happy with London's progress towards the 2012 games during a two-day visit to the city. But two sports have agreed in principle to a venue change.

London organizers proposed moving badminton and rhythmic gymnastics to Wembley Arena in the north of the city. This will avoid having to build a temporary venue, and save about 20 million pounds. Another change might include holding shorter sessions of the main sports. The IOC says the agreement was made as London had included a number of lessons learned from Beijing Olympics last year.

London organizers proposed moving badminton and rhythmic gymnastics  to Wembley Arena in the north of the city. This will avoid having  to build a temporary venue, and save about 20 million pounds.  Another change might include holding shorter sessions of the main  sports.

Denis Oswald, head of the IOC'S co-codination commission, says, "Sometimes the sessions are too long and people just go after two hours because they don't want to stay in the stadium for four or five hours. One idea is to try to have more sessions but shorter sessions which might help also to fill the stands."

Denis Oswald, chairman of the International Olympic Committee's  coordination commission answers a reporter's question during a  joint news conference with Sebastian Coe, not seen, chairman of  London 2012 Olympic Games organizing committee, in central London,  Thursday Nov. 26, 2009. The International Olympic Committee's  Coordination Commission visited London for an update on London's  progress on its plans for staging the 2012 Olympic Games and  Paralympic Games.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)