INQUIRER Sports

LONDON-- Badminton's governing body and the organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games in London look set for a head on clash after the former rejected holding the event at Wembley Arena which is the latter's favored site.

The local organizers have the backing of the International Olympic Committee but the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said on Tuesday it could not accept having their sport staged well away from the majority of the sports and not at the previously proposed 40million pound temporary arena.

"We are of the opinion that this will affect the Olympic experience for players and spectators," commented the BWF in a statement.

Wembley Arena was supported by London Mayor Boris Johnson and the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

"It's a combination of cost - everyone recognizes the world has changed dramatically since when we bid - but it's also about legacy and athlete experience," said LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe.

However, BWF President Dr Kang Young Joong begged to differ.

"The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of sporting achievement and the BWF owes our athletes and its members the responsibility to showcase badminton to the media and the world in the best possible way," he said.

The BWF said it would "vigorously engage" in venue negotiations with the IOC and hoped to find a solution at its next board meeting in March.