With just two months remaining before the start of the
Summer Games, IOC officials gave ACOG "high marks" in their final
pre-Games "report card," according to the WALL STREET JOURNAL.
IOC VP Richard Pound said some criticism is the result of last-
minute "glitches" and worries come with every Olympics. Pound,
on Atlanta: "It will get done. Don't worry about it. We think
it is going to be a great event." IOC's biggest concern had been
ACOG's efforts to raise $1.7B. Pound said he was "no less" and
"no more" concerned than any other time, and added he is
confident Atlanta "will get to the level of revenue it needs to
organize the Games as we hope and expect." ACOG CEO Billy Payne
said they still plan to enter the Games with a $30M contingency
fund, adding there will be "no public liability whatsoever." The
IOC did voice concern about the heat in Atlanta and asked ACOG to
take extra steps to ensure athletes' health (Glenn Ruffenach,
WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/21). ACOG says it still needs to raise
$152.7M, most of which should come from souvenir and walk-up
ticket sales (N.Y. TIMES, 5/21).
