Rogge says venue changes for London 2012 will be finalized soon in move that could save $30M

London venue changes could save $30 million

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — IOC president Jacques Rogge says the change in venue for two sports at the 2012 London Olympics should be finalized in a month or two.

Rogge and the International Olympic Committee’s executive board received on Thursday a progress update from Sebastian Coe, head of London’s organizing committee.

Among the topics was the proposed move of badminton and rhythmic gymnastics to Wembley Arena, a change that will allow London organizers to scrap construction of a temporary venue and save up to $30 million.

The two sports have not yet approved the switch and continue to express concern over the travel time between the athletes’ village in east London and the Wembley venue in northwest London.

Rogge said a deal is “almost finalized.”