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Mixed doubles to debut at London 2012

IOC president Jacques Rogge announces the changes to the Olympic programme © Getty Images

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London 2012 will host a mixed doubles event for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games.

At a meeting of the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it was announced that mixed doubles would be introduced in a bid to increase female participation at the Games.

"The inclusion of the tennis mixed doubles event will not increase the current number of athletes and will bring an added value to the Olympic programme by providing another opportunity for men and women to compete together on the same field of play," said a statement by the IOC.

Meanwhile, in a shake-up to the cycling events, the individual cycling track pursuit races will not appear in London. The individual pursuit, points race and madison events have been dropped in favour of sprint, team sprint, team keirin, team pursuit and new omnium events.

The IOC revealed the decision was as a result of a recommendation from the International Cycling Union (UCI) to increase the number of female events. Cycling had seven track events for men and three for women at the 2008 Beijing Games, but the 2012 games will see five events each for men and women, and will see the number of women track cyclists rise from 35 in Beijing to 84.

The decision means Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton will now be able to go for three gold medals in London. However, Bradley Wiggins and Rebecca Romero, who both won the individual pursuit, will be unable to defend their titles.

"Having the opportunity to compete in more events in 2012 will be amazing but I would be extremely happy to repeat what I achieved in Beijing by winning just one," said Pendleton.

"Obviously it's very disappointing that some events have been dropped from the schedule within these changes. I really feel for my team-mates who will miss out as a result."

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