Summary The IOC gave thumbs up to organisers for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
LAUSANNE -The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave a thumbs up to organisers for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, saying they had no major concerns, despite disquiet about the progress of infrastructure work.
"There is nothing that resembles a big problem about Sochi," IOC director of communications Mark Adams said after meetings of the organisation s executive committee in Lausanne, Switzerland.
"There is no problem at all. In February, we will enter the final year but the venues are more or less ready and ticket sales will begin next year. It is clear that Sochi are entering the final phase of delivery.
"Are they are in a good position? Yes, they are. Do they have more work? Yes, like any other host city one year ahead of the Games."
The Games will be held from February 7 to 23, 2014 and will feature 15 sports, as the Russian city take the reins from the Canadian city of Vancouver, which hosted the 2010 edition.
Russia last hosted the Olympics as part of the Soviet Union in 1980 and winning the bid for the 2014 winter Games, backed by sports-mad President Vladimir Putin, has been seen as a massive boost for national pride.
Organisers insist that they are on track to finish all sports facilities in the Black Sea resort but there have been concerns that the project is running behind schedule.
Ecologists and rights activists have also criticised preparations for damaging the environment and forcing locals out of their homes.
In August this year, two firms building the central stadium and another high-tech venue for the Games were charged with trying to swindle more than $250 million in state funds, as part of a wider investigation into cost overruns.
