IOC Praises Sochi 2014 Olympics Construction, Volunteers Program

(ATR) IOC Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli tells Around the Rings"much progress" is evident on Russia's Winter Olympic preparations as a three-day inspection visit wraps up.

"We are very pleased. First on construction, things are going according to plan, and also operationally," he told ATR at the end of the IOC Coordination Commission's sixth visit to the Black Sea resort.

"There are no aspects of particular concern. Due to the complexity of the Games, we are carefully following all of them."

Felli said there had been significant developments in the fast-track Olympic construction project since Jean-Claude Killy's IOC commission conducted its last check-up in May.

He told ATR the IOC inspection team was most impressed with how much work had been carried out on competition venues in the coastal and mountain clusters as well as building progress on hotels and other accommodations.

With 55,000 workers involved in the entire building project, Sochi 2014's coastal Olympic Park site is now Europe's biggest construction site. Around 70 percent of venues and infrastructure work is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

On the massive construction project, the IOC noted the good work undertaken on environmental and sustainability fronts.

The IOC delegation was presented with revised plans to extend the roof of the 40,000-seat Olympic Stadium.

"They are studying the possibility to put a roof on the stadium. I think it will be very nice. It is coming along very well," Felli said, noting that the venue would still remain open.

Last month, legacy concerns over the Olympic Stadium arose after news emerged that the city's professional football club – Zhemchuzhina Sochi –had folded. Post-Games, the club was expected to be the anchor football tenant for the stadium ahead of the venue's use for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

"The issue has been discussed with us. They are going to study it to make sure in the future they can revive a team that can play in the stadium," Felli said.

He insisted the IOC was not worried about legacy, noting that the venue would be used by the national football team and adding: "I think they will do a lot of activities in the stadium."

The IOC Co-Comm was impressed by Sochi 2014's volunteer program. A total of 26 Olympic volunteer centers across Russia will start the mass recruitment of volunteers for the Sochi Games next February. About 25,000 volunteers will work during the Games in more than 20 areas.

IOC officials were pleased with measures taken to promote interest in the Games across the country. Sochi 2014's Cultural Olympiad will hold 850 events this year, with an anticipated reach of more than one million people. The Games education program is also in full swing, with lessons on the 2014 Games being taught to 140,000 schoolchildren in 30 cities.

"We have been very impressed with the way the organizers have proactively reached out to people in every corner of the country to make them feel part of the Sochi Games. The 2014 fan club is now well and truly in place across this great nation," Killy said.

With Sochi 2014 now in the operational planning phase of preparations, the IOC delegation was also briefed on services for the athletes, international federations, National Olympic Committees, media and the Paralympic Games, among others.

Updates were also received on Sochi’s transport plans, accommodation, activities and operations at the Olympic Park as well as the spectator experience concept.

Sochi 2014 president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said he was delighted that the IOC Co-Comm had confirmed the strong progress made by Sochi 2014.

"There is still plenty to do but it is encouraging that they feel we are in good shape and that they have highlighted the work we are doing to engage people right across the country," he said.

Reported by Mark Bisson