Sochi 2014 Passes Toughest Test Yet

The International Olympic Committee is "very satisfied" with preparations for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, and sees "no reason for concern" two years before Russia's first Winter Games, chairman Jean-Claude Killy said Tuesday. The committee's seventh visit to the Black Sea resort is seen as a key milestone because it comes two days after Rosa Khutor held a stage of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup, the most exacting test of the city's capability of hosting international competition. "The cup that took place on Saturday and Sunday was very successful," Killy said after a weekend inspection accompanied by President Dmitry Medvedev. "We see no reason for concern. ... We are confident the Olympic Games will go smoothly, very well," he added. Russia is building everything needed to host a Winter Olympics from scratch in what organizers call the biggest project in Europe in the last half century, costing upwards of $30 billion. Killy said with that in mind, certain bumps in the road were inevitable. "If you compare Sochi with London, or Rio de Janeiro, you will see the same problems: Transport, organization, security," he said. Some international athletes voiced criticism of overbearing security at Rosa Khutor: Police armed with machine guns manned every chairlift and gondola during the competition, and the road to the resort was dotted with checkpoints. Gilbert Felli, the Olympic Games chairman, acknowledged it may seem excessive but said with security measures it was better to err on the side of caution. "Yes, it's a bit difficult sometimes when you have too much security, but if something happens then they will say that there was not enough security so it's always a question of balance." All construction for the Games is due to be completed by the end of the year, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said. At least 60 sports events are scheduled for Sochi in the 24 months remaining until the opening ceremony. The end of this year will see the first test events at Sochi's coastal cluster, which will house the skating events. The water droplet-shaped Bolshoi Ice Palace is set to hold Russia's stage of the Euro Hockey Tour in December. Killy said the last week has left no doubts about Sochi's credentials as an Olympic capital. "The IOC truly believes in the ability of the organizing committee to prepare the Olympic Games and I would like to thank Mr. Kozak and [organizing committee chief Dmitry] Chernyshenko and their teams for their efforts and professionalism." Sochi officials admitted this year that some 70 facilities for the Games were behind schedule, though insisted the delays were minor and wouldn't impact the quality of the event. Sports minister Vitaly Mutko last week said a ski jump test event that had been postponed to March due to construction delays would go ahead as planned this weekend.