Olympic Newsdesk -- Sochi Says More Environment Attention Needed; IOC Takes UN Seat

Sochi Admits Environmental Work Remains

The Sochi 2014 organizing committee says work still needs to be done to ensure the region’s environment is protected from Olympic construction.

A report from the United Nations Environmental Program was released Tuesday saying the government “did not take into account the cumulative and synergetic effects of the various projects on the ecosystems of the Sochi region and its population”.

A spokeswoman for Sochi 2014 tells Around the Rings “[t]he UNEP report published today highlighted areas for improvement. The Organizing Committee will continue to work closely with the UNEP on these areas to ensure that the unique natural environment of the Krasnodar Region is not only protected, but also enhanced throughout Games delivery.”

The UNEP report suggested both Olympic organizers and environmental NGOs deserved some blame for the problems.

“In the view of the mission, the level of reluctance to engage with or even listen to each other calls for actions from both sides to improve cooperation.”

It added “The view of the mission is that both sides need to increase efforts to genuinely engage each other.”

UNEP said it would consider creating forums for both sides to increase dialogue in the next 12 to 24 months.

Concerns had been raised that construction projects for the Games would damage the unique environment of the region.

Pescante Presents Papers to UN

Mario Pescante presented his appointment papers as the IOC’s Permanent Observer to UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon on Monday.

Pescante, IOC member from Italy, serves as IOC International Relations Commission chair, and led the IOC’s workat the UN, prior to it becoming a permanent observer last year.

His roles in sports have included serving as a supervisor of the 2006 Turin Winter Games and working as a commissioner for the Mediterranean Games in Pescara. From 2001 to 2005 he served as President of the European Olympic Committees.

In politics, Pescante has been a deputy in the Italian Parliament since 2001, and president of the Parliamentary Commission for the European Union since 2008.

As a Permanent Observer to the UN, the IOC can now participate at the General Assembly, write resolutions and speak on matters before the body, but it cannot vote.

Medellin Ready for South American Games

The Colombian city of Medellin is welcoming athletes for the South American Games, which begin Friday. The 11-day event concludes March 30.

Medellin is the first city to build a village for the Games. The complex will house about 3,000 people during the Games. The Village includes 13 buildings and 621 rooms.

The village opened on Sunday. The delegation from Argentina was the first to arrive followed by Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Colombia.

"I feel very comfortable in the city, the village has treated us very well and we're feeling a little overwhelmed, but is common in the early days," said Gabriel Curuchet, the chef de mission for Argentina.

The Games are held under the auspices of ODESUR, the South American Sports Organization.

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Written by Ed Hula III and Sam Steinberg.