The Times reports that because of spiralling costs, London 2012 has been forced to cancel plans for a 100 million pound fencing arena, and a basketball venue is also in danger.
According to the Times the events will be held in existing buildings instead of the facilities shown in artists’ impressions previously shown to the public by the Games’ organizers.
London’s organizing committee and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have ordered the change. Both fencing and basketball arenas had been intended as temporary facilities and organizers now believe their costs won’t be justified, reports the Times.
The newspaper reports that the fencing hall was cancelled after the builder’s estimate came in at double the original budget –100 million pounds. Olympics insiders say fencing will now be moved to the London ExCel exhibition centre in nearby Docklands.
Also, the basketball competition is under the gun and may now have to be moved to the O2, formerly the Millennium Dome.
Although Games officials confirmed Saturday the review of the temporary venues they said no final decision had been made and any changes to the park would not be made until officials from the sports concerned have been consulted.
