IOC Commission Chair Jean-Claude Killy praised the local organizers of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games for the progress in preparations, following the group's eighth visit to Sochi. During the three-day visit, the commission paid visits to a number of the future Olympic venues, including the sliding center, ski jump facility, cross country/biathlon area and the coastal cluster. The commission noted that most of the venues are either nearing completion or are already in use. With more than 20 Sochi 2014-organized test events scheduled over the course of the winter, the venues and other Games infrastructure are set to receive their most thorough assessment to date. The commission reviewed all aspects of preparations for the different client groups, including athletes, int'l federations, National Olympic Committees, marketing partners, spectators, the Paralympic Games and the media. Having conducted an examination of Sochi 2014’s operational plans, the commission said that it was confident the organizers were firmly on schedule for the '14 Games (Sochi 2014).
