Rogge Dismisses Transport, Security Fears for London 2012

(ATR) IOC president Jacques Rogge says he is confident the transport problems that have plagued London this week will not affect the flow of traffic to the Olympic Park and other sites come Games-time.

The closure of the M4 motorway in west London that links Heathrow Airport to London has sparked concerns a few days before National Olympic Committee delegations arrive at the official London 2012 airport.

Queues at Heathrow, the closure of King's Cross tube station and other delays on the Underground this week have raised serious questions about how the city's already stretched public transport network will cope with additional visitors for the Olympics.

Rogge dismissed the fears in a teleconference with reporters Thursday.

"We have always said transport will be a key factor for the Olympic Games, not just for London," he said.

"We are very confident with the strategy being put in place by LOCOG and London, and we believe this will work during the Games."

The IOC chief admitted he had witnessed the traffic congestion problems from Heathrow to London first-hand when he flew into London to catch the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and some of the Wimbledon tennis last weekend.

"It's not easy from Heathrow to the center of the city but things will improve of course by the day," he said.

Rogge was also asked about security arrangements. The government confirmed Thursday that it had been forced to draft in 3,500 extra military personnel for the Games after security contractor G4S failed to train enough staff.

"We are absolutely optimistic that all the provisions will be made," he said.

"Security is the responsibility of the host country. Of course, we are informed about the arrangements and we discuss with the authorities but ultimately we have to follow their advice because they are in the best position."

Rogge denied that London 2012's last-ditch issues, which seem to be concentrated into a few days, were troubling him.

"We always have difficulties in the host city leading up to previous Games. This is something that is not a worry... we have a very responsive team with LOCOG, very flexible. We are sure everything will be fine by the opening ceremony."

Commenting on Saudi Arabia sending female athletes to compete at the Olympics for the first time, he said the two athletes from the Gulf state along with women from Qatar and Brunei were a good symbol for the future of the Games.

Rogge said the IOC would continue funding female athletes in Saudi Arabia through Olympic Solidarity: "We will do it with more athletes. That is the best way to improve the skills," he said.

Asked about reports that Syrian Olympic Committee president Gen. Mowaffak Joumaa would not attend the Games because he had not received an invite from LOCOG, Rogge said: "I haven't received any notification from LOCOG about him not being present."

Despite the atrocities of Syrian president Bashar Assad's regime, the country's NOC is still recognized by the IOC, and Syrian athletes will compete under their national flag.

Lessons for Rio 2016

Rogge indicated that lessons for Rio 2016 Olympics staff would only become clear in the transfer of knowledge program that followed the Games, although he said the Brazil delegation would pick up valuable ideas during the official IOC observer program.

"Definitely, I would recommend Rio to work as well as LOCOG has done. I must say Rio so far has done a very good job," he said.

Rogge was asked byAround the Rings whether Rio 2016's ability to learn lessons from London might suffer due to several high-profile departures from the organizing committee. After recent resignations, still vacant is the top marketing position and chief operations officer role.

"We are used to big turnovers in organizing committees," Rogge responded, pointing to what happened in preparations for Olympics in Sydney , Salt Lake City and Athens. "But all the Games were a success so I am not worried about this... people come and go."

ISL Scandal

Rogge was also asked to comment on publication of court documents on the ISL case. The documents published on FIFA's website Wednesday reveal that Joao Havelange, former IOC member and ex-FIFA president, received at least $1 million in kickbacks from the football federation's now-defunct marketing partner.

The 96-year-old resigned from the IOC last year shortly before a ruling on whether he received ISL backhanders in the 1990s while he was FIFA boss.

Rogge said he only heard about the documents last night and had yet to read them. "I have asked for a copy. Of course this is not good for the reputation of sport in general," he commented.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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