BBC Home Explore the BBC
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

13 November 2014

BBC Homepage

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites


Contact Us

Work and Money

You are in: London > London Local > Greenwich > Work and Money > Greenwich or Wembley?

Peninsula Square, N Greenwich

Peninsula Square, N Greenwich

Greenwich or Wembley?

The Chief Executive of AEG, the company behind The O2 Arena, has criticised proposals to move some Olympic sports from Greenwich to the Wembley Arena.

When London won the bid for the Games back in 2005; the Greenwich Peninsula was expected to host a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports in two venues.

The O2, which will be renamed as 'North Greenwich Arena 1' during the Olympic fortnight was to be accompanied by a second temporary venue.

The O2 Arena, formerly the Millennium Dome

The 02 Arena

6,000 seats

'North Greenwich Arena 2' was expected to have 6,000 seats for spectators of Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics during the Olympic Games and 6,000 seats for spectators of Volleyball during the Paralympic Games.

But, now there are proposals for Badminton to be hosted at Wembley Arena and possibly scrap the second Peninsula venue.

The plans have drawn criticism from AEG, the operators of The O2.

"I think it's sad there's not as much activity potentially going on in Greenwich as there was going to be."

David Campbell, AEG Europe

Wembley Arena

Chief Executive of AEG Europe David Campbell told BBC London he was saddened by the proposals to expand the role Wembley will play come 2012.

"I think its sad in many ways, because it would have been nice to see all new facilities in the Olympic Park."

"I think it's sad there's not as much activity potentially going on in Greenwich as there was going to be."

"Wembley's great, but it was built in the 1930's and there's not many ways to disguise that - so it's a shame that's what we're putting forward a full 80 years later."

Wembley Stadium is already set to host the finals of Olympic Football, but back in 2005 Wembley Arena was dismissed in all 2012 bid proposals.

Badminton

Badminton could be held at Wembley Arena

'Current economic climate'

A statement from London 2012 organisers said:  "clearly in the current economic climate it is prudent to look at our temporary venues to see what other alternatives may exist using permanent structures. This process is underway."

"No decisions have been made and it is by no means definite that these sports will move but, in the current economic climate, examining all options is the sensible thing to do."

BBC London's Olympic Correspondent Adrian Warner said: "the International Olympic Committee would have to approve any change of venue but, in the current climate, they are unlikely to put up too much opposition if the governing body of the sport were in agreement."

YOUR VIEWS

last updated: 17/10/2008 at 23:31
created: 17/10/2008

You are in: London > London Local > Greenwich > Work and Money > Greenwich or Wembley?



About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy