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Legacy Company Takes Charge of Olympic Park Transformation
The 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority officially passed the job of transforming the Olympic Park venues and infrastructure for legacy use after the Games to the Olympic Park Legacy Company.
The transfer of responsibility follows discussions between the Olympic Delivery Authority, OPLC and the Government Olympic Executive over how best to deliver the post-Games transformation.
The ODA's scope and $492 million budget for transformation is now with the legacy company. Officials hope the park’s legacy will turn it into "a global destination for homes, jobs, sport and leisure."
Post-Games work will include the removal of temporary venues such as the basketball arena, reconfiguration of infrastructure for legacy use and other projects.
Dennis Hone, chief executive of the ODA, said: "Passing the baton for post-Games conversion works to the Olympic Park Legacy Company will ensure value for money as there will now only be one public body responsible for the work on site after the summer of 2012, enabling the ODA to conclude its contracts and wind-up early if possible.
"It will also ensure a speedy transition that will see the park opened to the public as soon as possible after the Games."
IOC Praise for Sochi 2014 Progress
Jean-Claude Killy, IOC Coordination Commission chairman for the 2014 Winter Olympics, has praised the Games’ organizers but emphasized that "a lot remains to be done" on hotel construction and operational planning.
Killy and IOC director for the Olympics Gilbert Felli wrapped up their two-day check-up of preparations Tuesday. It comes one month before the full IOC inspection takes place in the Black Sea resort.
The triple Olympic downhill champion said the IOC delegation saw continued progress in the development of the sporting venues both venue clusters.
"I am confident that the world’s winter athletes will be impressed when they arrive in Sochi for the up-coming sports events and the Games in 2014," he said in a statement.
He said hotel construction and operational planning would be areas of particular scrutiny for the Sept. 12-14 visit of the IOC inspection team to Sochi.
"We are confident that Sochi 2014 and its partners are on track to deliver their commitments. The entire Sochi 2014 team deserves great praise for their achievements over the past six months," he added.
On Monday, IOC officials saw progress on sports venues in the coastal cluster, including the main stadium, as well as the construction of hotels for the Games. The second day was devoted to site visits in the mountain cluster including stops at the skiing venues and Olympic Villages.
Killy and Felli toured the sites with Russia's Olympics tsar Dmitry Kozak and Sochi 2014 president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko.
Brazilian Partnership
Olympic event production leader FiveCurrents announced it will partnerwith GEO Eventos to produce major events in Brazil.
The partnership will be formed with FiveCurrents Produções Criativas, its Brazilian office. GEO Eventos is an event producer and promoter in Brazil.
"Rio de Janeiro is a very special city for FiveCurrents," said Scott Givens, FiveCurrents’ president.
"From producing the 2007 Pan American Games Ceremonies, through the bid for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, FiveCurrents remains deeply committed to bringing the beauty of Rio and Brazil to a global audience. FiveCurrents’ experience, combined with GEO Eventos’ national production capability, creates a solid team ready to create flagship events."
Federer, Hingis Team?
Two of the greatest tennis players of all time may team up at the London Olympics.
Roger Federer said he would serve Martina Hingis the possibility of playing mixed doubles.
"Might as well just see if she is available," he was quoted Monday by AFP. "Even if she is retired, she might think about it at least."
Hingis told the news agency not to count on her return.
"My life is pretty comfortable now and I'm really enjoying it."
She retired in 2007 after testing positive for cocaine.
Hingis entered the 1996 Olympics but did not medal. Federer is the reigning doubles champion.
Written by Mark Bisson and Ed Hula III.
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