Medvedev Stresses Sochi 2014 Test Events; Denver Talks 2022 Olympic Costs

Medvedev Stresses Sochi Test Events

"Let’s get to work," Russian president Dmitry Medvedev says of Sochi’s first full season of test events.

Medvedev stopped by the Black Sea resort late last week for a beginning-of-year briefing on construction progress as well as preparations for the Winter Olympic host city’s upcoming dress rehearsals.

"In accordance with the current international practice, test events must be held at all facilities prior to the Olympics," he told colleagues including deputy PM Dmitry Kozak, transport minister Igor Levitin and Olympstroy CEO Sergei Gaplikov.

"It is imperative to organize these events."

Four major test events are scheduled in the next three months. A FIS Ski World Cup for men from Feb. 7 to 12 is followed two days later by the start of the women's event, also at Rosa Khutor Alpine Center.

The FIS Snowboard European Cup takes place Feb. 23 to 26 and the FIS Freestyle European Cup from March 1 to 7.

Sochi’s snowboard park was among several venue sites visited by Medvedev prior to Thursday’s meeting.

"The scope of construction is enormous," he later reported.

"Over 800 capital construction and reconstruction projects are in progress. Apart from the sports and tourism facilities, there is also the transport, energy, communications, healthcare and utilities infrastructure."

All that will be on display this weekend when the IOC Coordination Commission led by Jean-Claude Killy visits Feb. 12 to 14 for the first of two check-ups this year.

Atos Builds IT Network for Major Events

Olympic sponsor Atos will purchase 50 percent of the sports data provider MSL Group.

The deal is expected to be finalized by March 31 and gives Atos the option to acquire the entire company. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Atos is the worldwide IT partner for the Olympics and has worked with MSL since the Barcelona Games in 1992.

"Today's announcement marks a major milestone in our strategy to be the global IT leader for major events," said Patrick Adiba, head of Olympic Games and major events for Atos.

"By joining forces with MSL Group, we have a strengthened portfolio that will ensure our business technologists can continue to write history for sporting and major events around the world and that as a business we increase our market share as well as valuefrom each deal."

Continued Calls for Dow’s Removal as Sponsor

Bhopal victims are staging a protest Monday against Dow Chemical’s Olympic sponsorship.

The Times of India reports that organizations representing the victims of an industrial disaster in Bhopal, India continue to demand that Dow be removed as a sponsor.

Dow, which is providing a giant fabric wrap for London Olympic Stadium, has been linked to the disaster in 1984 when a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited leaked toxic gas into the city, killing tens of thousands.

Olympian and former hockey player Aslam Sher Khan is one of many leading the charge against the sponsorship. "We are in touch with the ministry of sports and we would continue to exert pressure until Dow is completely disassociated with the Olympics," he was quoted by the Times.

"Dow will not be allowed to be a part of the Games and the government is on track to fulfilling our demand."

While Dow bought Union Carbide Corporation in 2001, it never owned or operated the plant and consistently maintains that it is not responsible for the disaster.

Bhopal supporters say that Dow has failed to properly compensate victims and Khan says the campaign for compensation will not stop at the Olympics.

"Even after the London Olympics Games are over, the idea is to raise the voice of the gas victims so that they can be compensated adequately and Dow accept its responsibility for the world's worst industrial disaster."

Princess Haya Delivers Baby Boy

International Equestrian Federation president Princess Haya is the mother of baby boy.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, her husband and vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, announced the birth of Zayed via Twitter on Saturday.

Denver Talks Olympic Costs

Hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Denver may cost about $1.5 billion.

The Denver Post reports that a 22-member exploratory committee considering the bid was briefed on its feasibility on Saturday.

Jim Burton of the accounting firm Grant Thornton estimated the billion-dollar cost, most of which would have to be privately raised. The estimates were based on the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, which profited by $90 million.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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