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The Olympic rings on display in Cardiff during London 2012 have been recycled after the capital was told it could not keep them.

The council had wanted to retain the eight-metre tall structures, which had stood outside City Hall, as part of the Olympic-themed park area at the central bus station.

But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled only host city London and sailing destination Weymouth could retain their sets of rings, despite Cardiff’s hosting 300,000 visitors for Olympic football matches.

In response to a written question at the last full council meeting, Cardiff’s sports boss said they had been “recycled sustainably” in line with Games organisers LOCOG's guidelines.

“Costs incurred by the council in relation to the removal of the rings and final disposal were met by LOCOG,” Councillor Huw Thomas said.