£40m London Olympics badminton venue axed

The temporary venue due to be constructed for the London Olympics badminton and gymnastics events is to be scrapped in a cost-cutting measure.

The £40m, 6,000-seater arena was due to be built in North Greenwich, near the O2.

However, Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, has told the London Assembly that a report by consultants KPMG recommended abandoning plans for the venue.

The badminton and gymnastics events could be "shifted" to an alternative site, Deighton added.

However, KPMG's report said it made little sense to move the temporary 12,000-seater basketball arena from the Olympic Park, which is estimated to cost £80m, or the equestrian venue from Greenwich Park.

Plans to hold the shooting competitions at a temporary 7,500 arena at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich remain under review.

Wembley Arena is the leading contender to host the relocated badminton and gymnastic events, according to The Independent.