Sochi Scene - IOC Increases Scrutiny for 2014 Olympics

(ATR) The head of the Sochi Olympics tells Around the Rings that this week’s inspection visit by the IOC means an uptick in scrutiny for preparations for the 2014 Games.

"This is another milestone for us," says Dmitry Chernyshenko about this fourth visit of the IOC Coordination Commission for Sochi since it won the Games in 2007.

But he notes this the first time the commission has met twice in the same year, a schedule to be followed through to the Games, now little more than three years away.

"It’s an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate the progress and to make them confident that we are well on track in many areas: construction, environmental protection and commercial aspects as well.

"There are no critical issues, but let’s wait till the final press conference," says Chernyshenko.

The 12-member commission, led by Jean Claude Killy, arrived in Sochi Monday, travelling aboard the IOC member’s private jet. The group held working group sessions soon after arriving and will visit the Olympic Park construction site Tuesday.

Killy and IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli will brief the media at the end of the visit Oct. 14.

Chernyshenko says Sochi 2014 will report on 54 functions.

He says the presentations will show that "we are firmly on time, on budget, according to our Bible, our Olympic masterplan".

Chernyshenko says the IOC commission will see progress in Sochi from their last visit in April.

"We opened the first section of the combined road that will link the coastal and mountain clusters. Today [Oct 11], Sochi airport commissioned renovation of its second runway that will allow more aircraft to land here, a project not for the Games, but for now."

"We are fully prepared for the first test event, the alpine European cup, next February," he says.

And Chernyshenko says he hoped the visit will allay fears of at least one commission member, ski federation president Gian Franco Kasper, who last week said that Sochi could be building white elephants. Chernyshenko calls the comments from Kasper "suprising".

"He will witness on his own our progress. And we have plenty to show him."

Chernyshenko says the Games are making an impact now in Sochi – and across Russia.

"We already can be proud of tangible results in different aspects. I am talking for example about new standards of construction, Green construction, that has not existed in our country before. And volunteers. The growth of the volunteer culture across Russia is enormous thanks to the preparation of the Games," he says, noting that 50 Sochi volunteers provided support to the just-ended Generations for Peace Camp in Sochi.

Written by Ed Hula For general comments or questions, click here

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