Wembley Lined Up For Olympic Boxing

Wembley Stadium has emerged as a potential host venue for the Olympic boxing tournament at London 2012.

Providing the sport’s authorities approve such a move, plans to axe a proposed temporary venue that would have housed several Olympic sports could see those events relocated.

The International Olympic Committee has backed taking boxing from East London to Wembley but there are fears it is too far from the athletes’ village.

‘We want the best conditions for boxers and to ensure boxing has a legacy,’ said Richard Caborn, President of the Amateur Boxing Association of England.

The proposal is to save £20m by not building a planned temporary venue called North Greenwich Arena 2, which would see badminton, rhythmic gymnastics and sitting volleyball relocated to the ExCel Arena.

However badminton can only be fitted in there if boxing moves to Wembley.

‘They are trying not to spend money when it’s not necessary,’ said IOC director of sport Gilbert Felli.