Intro:

The International Olympic Committee has denied reports that London has been approached about replacing Rio as host of the 2016 Olympics.

The London Evening Standard has claimed there have been secret talks due to severe delays in Brazil.

Script:

Here's a bizarre story surrounding the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

According to the London Evening standard, the capital's secretly been put on standby to replace Rio, due to the chronic delays that have beset the Games.

John Coates, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee:

"That's a nonsense, or words to that effect. There's absolutely no plan for London as an alternative. There's absolutely no plan B. We, the IOC, the international federations and the organising committee and the three levels of government have to work together and are working together to deliver the games."

London having already dismantled many of the venues for the 2012 Olympics:

"There's just absolutely no alternative of going back to another city. The villages are sold. Same as saying come back to Sydney. And our village is gone. But we will work through this and we'll get to Brazil."

So that's that dealt with.