The IOC approved four London 2012 design changes, Vancouver 2010 offers venue tours, and 4,000 police will provide security at Hong Kong equestrian events during the Beijing 2008 Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned several design “tweaks” Thursday to London 2012’s Olympic Park. They include moving the fencing competition out of the main Olympic Park to Excel London – already a Games venue. The temporary venue for basketball will now move from the southern end of the park to the northern end, the BMX venue will move a short distance and will now be adjacent to the Velodrome, avoiding a need to take it down and rebuilt it after the Games. The handball finals will now take place in the 12,000-seat basketball venue on the Olympic Park, increasing the number of seats available.
Vancouver 2010 is offering tours this summer to the Whistler Sliding Centre, venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions. Whistler Olympic Park will also host tours this summer. During the Games Whistler Olympic Park will host biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. Self-guided walking tours for the Whistler Sliding Centre begin July 3 until the end of August. Admission is $5. Beginning June 15 self-guided walking, car or bike tours of Whistler Olympic Park will be available during park hours. For advance booking visit www.whistlerolympicpark.com. Admission fees for guided tours will vary depending on the tour. Both venues are wheelchair accessible.
Hong Kong Police are deploying up to 4,000 police to ensure security during the Olympic equestrian events. Thirty five hundred officers will be given the authorization required for accessing Olympic equestrian venues for the Olympic Village. There will be extra officers assigned to maintain traffic and order, said the Assistant Commissioner of Police. The number of officers required will depend on the size of the audience at the Olympic equestrian events.
