Russian Olympics Organizers Ready for IOC Inspectors

(ATR) Sochi 2014 chief Dmitry Chernyshenko tells Around the Rings he believes the IOC Coordination Commission will next week be impressed with Olympic Park construction progress – and plans for a new upgrade to the main stadium design.

Chernyshenko also reveals that several more sponsorships will be signed at next week's Sochi Investment Forum, which follows the three-day inspection visit led by French IOC member Jean-Claude Killy. Each tier three deal could be worth up to $30 million.

"The most notable achievement is in construction since May [the last IOC Co-Comm visit], which will be evident for them on some site visits," Chernyshenko told ATR.

"They will see the Olympic Park is getting into shape and that construction on accommodation facilities is going well."

Chernyshenko says a decision was taken to improve the design of the 40,000-seat Olympic stadium, which is currently under construction. The venue will now be fully covered to better protect spectators from the elements.

"It's good for legacy as it will help provide year-round exploitation of the venue," he said, adding that the additional work on the roof structure would not change the June 2013 completion date.

Post-Games use of the Olympic stadium includes hosting international matches for the Russian national football team as well as other entertainment events. It'salso one of the planned stadiums for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

After Sochi's football club folded as reported by ATR last month, Sochi 2014's legacy plan appeared to have been dealt a significant blow. Zhemchuzhina Sochi was supposed to be the anchor football tenant for the stadium.

Chernyshenko believes the financially-stricken football club will be revived with fresh investment, adding: "The legacy plan hasn't changed since the last time we presented to the IOC. There will be no changes in our report [next week]."

Around 45,000 workers are busy building venues and infrastructure in and around the Black Searesort. By year's end, 70 percent of all work will be completed.

Bolshoi Ice Palace in the coastal cluster, venue for Olympic ice hockey, will open in May 2012 as the first completed arena for Sochi 2014.

Following Russian media reports in July citing massive cost overruns in the delivery of infrastructure for the Games, the IOC is expected to seek assurances that the government is providing accurate oversight of spending on the fast-track Olympic construction project in Sochi.

Sergei Pavlenko, head of Russia's Federal Service of Financial and Budget Oversight, claimed that contractors have overpriced Games infrastructurecosts and estimated the anticipated cost of the Olympics could reach $18 billion.

"We are not aware of any impropriety, with all delivery subject to rigorous third party audits," a Sochi 2014 spokeswoman told ATR in July.

Sochi Prepares to Sign More Sponsors

Having already signed $1.1 billion in sponsorship deals, Sochi 2014 organizers are well on track to achieve their $2 billion operating budget. The merchandising program, only recently launched, will also generate significant revenues.

In July, Chernyshenko said sponsorship deals worth a total of $200 million were in the pipeline.

He told ATR that at least two tier-three deals would be announced next week.

"The Sochi Investment Forum [Sept. 16-17] will be an interesting event. We are planning to sign several agreements with international companies," he said.

Also on show to the IOC next week will be Sochi 2014's environmental and sustainability plans.

On the final day of the IOC inspection, the first Sochi 2014 Green Awards Ceremony will recognize Olympic works and other building schemes throughout the city for their environmental standards.

Reported by Mark Bisson