Russia said ready if snowfall lags at 2014 Olympics

SOCHI, Russia, June 29 (UPI) -- The head of the Russian Olympic committee said Saturday there will be enough snow on the mountainsides of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics to proceed.

Alexander Zhukov told reporters he was "confident we will be able to hold all of the mountain disciplines" even with a repeat of last winter's relatively warm temperatures.

"The Olympics in Sochi will go ahead in any weather," Zhukov said. "In the mountain region this year, a certain reserve of snow has already been gathered."

Lack of snow forced cancellation of some pre-Olympic events this year but officials told the RIA Novosti news agency 450,000 cubic meters of snow are stockpiled in the higher elevations for use during the Olympics if needed.