Committee visits Sochi for Olympics update

SOCHI, Russia, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Organizers said they are impressed with preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

A commission from the International Olympic Committee visited Sochi this week to check on progress in the Black Sea city.

"Sochi 2014 is delivering on its promises to the athletes and preparations remain on track," IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Jean-Claude Killy said Thursday at the conclusion of a three-day stop in Sochi.

Killy said, "Once again we have been impressed by the quality of the work that Sochi 2012 and its partners have presented to us during our visit. … (we) can see progress that is being made."

The committee said there were areas, common to any Olympics host, that Sochi organizers need to watch, including accommodations construction, workforce recruitment and training and "coordination of Games operations."

Among venues the committee was shown this week were the Bolshoi Ice Palace and the Olympic Skating Center.

The committee's next scheduled trip to Sochi is March 22-24. The XXII Olympic Winter Games are to take place Feb. 7-23, 2014.