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London can do away with controversial Olympic road lanes at the 2012 Games if other traffic control measures can be proved to cut congestion, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president said today.
The planned Olympic lanes have come under fire from some groups who say they will cause chaos for road users other than the Olympic athletes and officials allowed to use them.
Jacques Rogge told BBC London: "What counts for us is that the transport times for athletes and officials from the Olympic village to venues are what was promised in the bid book.
"Olympic lanes are the means we are looking for but let's see what London comes up with."
Asked if there were other options, he said: "If a good solution like traffic controls could be found, then yes."
Mr Rogge also warned organisers that any cost-cutting efforts must not affect the athletes or the quality of the Games.
A row broke out between the leading 2012 stakeholders last month over a £40 million temporary venue for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics in north Greenwich, with London mayor Boris Johnson demanding a move to an existing venue even though it would mean more travelling for some athletes.
The IOC has the power of veto over any changes and Mr Rogge said: "The bottom line is that we are not opposed to savings as long as the quality of the Games is not hampered. What counts ultimately is the welfare of the athletes. If that is compatible with savings, we have no problem."
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said it was unlikely an agreement over the badminton and rhythmic gymnastics venues would be found before he reports to the IOC session in Copenhagen next week.
He said: "We will be talking to those sports' international federations about whether we are going to an existing facility or to a temporary one somewhere, but it's unlikely we will have agreed by next week, either with them or our stakeholders, exactly the outcome will be."
Reader views (3)
Never mind getting rid of the Olympic lanes, get rid
of the whole stinking corrupt ediface of these
wretched games.
- Lb, Bromley, 02/10/2009 00:34
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Paint a few green lines on the roads and give all the atheletes bikes. Problem solved.
- Mr S.Port, London, 01/10/2009 21:58
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Who do these "officials" think they are? Do they think all London should be brought to a standstill and emergency services forced off the road so that athletes can get to and from venues? ondon tax payers are having to pay for this debacle - are they expected to be inconvenienced by it so that a few "has been" athletes can get centre stage with the minimum of delay and the maximum press coverage? Hopefully if David Cameron is elected he will cancel the whole lot.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 01/10/2009 15:58
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