Coventry chosen for 2012 Olympics

The Ricoh Arena, the home of Coventry City Football Club, has been chosen as one of the football venues for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The 33,000-capacity stadium was selected to stage the Midland-based games of the 2012 Games after Villa Park was ruled out due to planned building work.

It will be renamed the City of Coventry Stadium for the duration of the games with all branding removed.

Martin Reeves, chief executive of Coventry City Council, said: “2012 promises to be an outstanding year for the city. As well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we’ll be marking the 50th anniversary of the consecration of Coventry Cathedral, and there’s an important link between the city’s strong message of peace and reconciliation symbolised by the Cathedral, and the spirit of respect, fairness and sporting competition.”

The schedule of matches to be held in Coventry is still to be finalised but the stadium will be used alongside Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Old Trafford in Manchester, Newcastle's St James' Park and Wembley Stadium.