SportBusiness.com

TURIN IN RACE AGAINST TIME

The head of the IOC Commission for the Turin Olympics has warned that "catastrophe" could result from any delays in final preparations for the Games.

The Games are now just over two months away.

"It is critical that nothing unwanted happens to the situation, because that would be a catastrophe," Jean-Claude Killy told Around the Rings at the conclusion of a two-day visit of the IOC commission.

"Tight" is how he describes the schedule facing Turin organisers, who will probably not finish the overlay at Games venues until less than 30 days before opening ceremony on February 10.

Work at the Turin airport is behind schedule and the Olympic Village in Sestriere - perhaps the most critical project to complete - is also unfinished.

Despite his concern, Killy, who helped lead the Albertville Games of 1992, believes Turin will deliver what he calls "magnificent Italian Games".

"We have no reason to believe the work will not be done," he says.