THE head of US basketball has attacked a move to split the London 2012 Olympic competition between two different venues, calling it a "giant step backwards".

NBA chief David Stern criticised plans by 2012 Olympics organisers to cut costs by taking the majority of the matches away from a £60million, purpose-built basketball arena in the Olympic Park.

London's bid for the Games included plans for a multi million-pound basketball arena. But the 12,000-seat stadium has appeared in a cost review by accountants KPMG and could now be ditched.

Organisers are now considering playing most of the 70-plus games at Wembley Arena with the finals and semi-finals being held at the 02 in Greenwich.

Mr Stern said the facilities at Wembley were "outdated" and that he was "somewhat exercised".

Speaking at the NBA Europe Live Tour game between the Miami Heat and the New Jersey Nets at the 02 yesterday, he also praised the 02 as "spectacular". He said: "Despite early assurances that there would be a state-of-the-art arena [in London] that would have the basketball competition, we understand there is consideration for a giant step backwards."

Basketball has been identified as an important sport to help to boost youth participation. World-governing body Fiba is determined the Olympic venue is not changed.

Patrick Baumann, Fiba secretary general, said: "We were approached during the bid and we said we wanted the 02 Arena but were told that was not possible.

"We agreed to it being brought into the Olympic Park because, as one of the core venues, we thought in a country that is not basketball friendly it might improve its popularity. Wembley has never been an option."