IOC satsfied with Sochi 2014 Olympics progress

Mar 23, 2011, 14:25 GMT

Sochi, Russia - Olympic officials on Wednesday expressed their satisfaction with Sochi's preparations for the 2014 Winter Games after voicing concerns a year ago.

Jean-Claude Killy, the head of the IOC co-ordination for the Games, said at the end of the latest three-day inspection tour that successful first skiing test events and speedy construction were a sign of improvement.

Killy had warned Russian organizers in 2010 they could not afford delays in the huge masterplan in which all venues and a lot of infrastructure must be built from scratch.

'We've seen great progress during our visit to Sochi ... Sochi 2014 is starting to bring its Games vision to life,' Killy said in an IOC statement.

However, the IOC also urged Russian organizers to pay special attention to several areas including a nationwide effort to recruit and train the workforce for the Games, Olympic staff relocation from Moscow to Sochi and high standard visitor services.

But Killy said that 'I have no doubt that Sochi 2014 will deliver a fantastic Olympic experience for all those attending the Games.'

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