Rebecca Adlington will be able to defend her 800metres freestyle title in 2012 after the International Olympic Committee finalised the London programme.

The 20-year-old had been vocal about retaining the event in which she won the gold in Beijing in world record time after reports claimed it may be axed in favour of the 1,500m freestyle in order to unify the men's and women's Olympic programmes.

The International Olympic Committee Executive Board convened on Wednesday and Thursday to validate any changes proposed by governing bodies.

However, while the IOC ratified changes to the cycling and tennis programmes, swimming remained unchanged meaning Adlington will be able to defend her title in front of a home crowd.

An IOC spokesperson explained that FINA, swimming's governing body, had not made any submissions to the executive board despite their initial proposal having been studied in Berlin in the summer.

FINA's proposal had been to replicate the World Championship programme in London which would mean adding the 50m sprints in butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke to the freestyle that is already part of the programme as well as having both the 800m and 1,500m freestyle for men and women.

Thus, it was not a case of dropping one of them but to include both distances and the IOC confirmed there would be no further changes.

An IOC spokesperson told Press Association Sport: "As far as the IOC is concerned it needs to be validated by the executive board.

"The executive board closed yesterday so this is it, the programme is finalised for 2012."

It is understood FINA made their proposals to the IOC programme commission but they were not recommended to the executive board thus explaining the lack of a submission by the sport yesterday.

However, reports had indicated FINA would consider a recommendation to axe the 800m freestyle by the coaching commission next month which in turn could recommend the move to the IOC but it is understood the governing body accept the programme for London will remain unchanged.

FINA also expect next year's World Short-Course Championships to be held in Dubai despite the financial troubles being experienced in the region.