LONDON OLYMPICS - 111 Days to go:
London on track for 'outstanding' games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) praised preparations for
the 2012 Summer Games here Friday, declaring London was on track to
deliver an "outstanding" event.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 10th and final IOC co-ordination
commission visit to the city, IOC official Denis Oswald said
construction on all venues was complete with only a few "refinements"
remaining. "I can tell you that London is ready to welcome the world,"
Oswald told a press briefing in central London.
"Seven years ago in Singapore the London team presented a very strong
Olympic and Paralympic bid and we are very pleased that this vision is
becoming a reality and that (London) is preparing an outstanding event."
Oswald, the chairman of the co-ordination commission, said the myriad of
well-attended test events at Olympic venues had demonstrated that London
was "feeling the fever of the Games." "We have no doubt that this summer
will be a summer like no other in Britain," he said. "The world expects
a lot from London but we know London is ready and that people will not
be disappointed." However he urged the London 2012 Organising Committee
(LOCOG) to maintain their focus in the months left before the July
27-August 12 extravaganza.
"There is a lot to do still, mainly refinements, mainly details, no
major issue," Oswald said. "But sometimes the details make the
difference. "If you are in a race these details might be the few
hundredths of a second that make the difference between gold, silver and
bronze. "So our advice to LOCOG was to say: 'You have done a tremendous
job, but remain focused, remain concentrated and you will reach the
finish line.' "But we are very confident they will do so and we will
have an excellent Games this summer." Meanwhile Oswald defended the
system used to distribute tickets for the Games, where demand has far
exceeded supply. LOCOG has come under fire for its failure to give
precise details for the numbers of tickets available within the UK amid
suspicions that allocations for top events have been weighted towards
sponsors and corporate hospitality. "We are totally satisfied with the
way the ticket sale has been run by LOCOG," Oswald said.
"The situation with the tickets is just a result of the success of
the Games. We are pleased that so many peoples are interested in buying
tickets. "At some Games previously we were worried about empty
grandstands. We have a totally different situation here. "Of course when
you have less tickets to sell than the number which is required it's not
easy but we are fully confident in what LOCOG is doing." AFP |