There are still problems to resolve, particularly in transportation, before the Winter Olympics begin on Friday. Turin and the surrounding mountain venues are generally ready, however, organising chief Valentino Castellani said on Monday.
”We are very satisfied and committed,” Castellani said. ”We don’t have any structural problems. Everything is working … We will have always some small problems to solve. What is important is to solve them quickly.”
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge offered his endorsement.
”Like with all Games, the final stretch is always the most difficult one,” he said. ”Here and there, a couple of issues need to be solved. But there are still a few days until the opening ceremony. I’m very confident these will be very good games.”
Cesare Vaciago, CEO of the organising committee, said the biggest problem involves transportation — getting Italian drivers to respect the lanes reserved for Olympic vehicles and making sure bus drivers know their way around.
More than 2 000 bus drivers have been drafted in from all around Italy, and many are not familiar with the local roads. In addition, organisers have had to scramble to find accommodation for the drivers near the bus depots.
Rogge rejected suggestions that Turin had left things too late.
”What is important is that the fundamentals are very good,” he said. ”There is no structural issue. There is nothing that cannot be solved in a matter of days. I’m confident everything will be done by the opening ceremony.”
Castellani expressed confidence that the Olympic torch relay — which has been hounded by various protests — would proceed smoothly the rest of the week. On Sunday, the relay diverted its route in a northern valley due to demonstrations opposed to a high-speed rail link.
”Someone lost an occasion to celebrate with us,” Castellani said. ”I don’t feel you should use such a symbolic occasion in this way.”
Organisers said security measures — including deployment of 15 000 police and military personnel and use of surveillance planes — are sufficient to guard the Games.
”I’m confident Torino and the Olympic venues will be one of the most secure places, at least in this country,” Castellani said.
Ticket sales have picked up, with more than 700 000 — or 85% of the total — sold so far. For some less popular events, organisers are offering low-price tickets to local schoolchildren.
”Our target is to have for every event and every site always more than 50% of the seats occupied,” Castellani said. — Sapa-AP