Speaking in Moscow yesterday at the signing of Visa’s Olympic Games sponsorship extension, Rogge said he is encouraged by "the pace and quality'' of the work in the Black Sea resort area where almost all of the venues and infrastructure are being built from scratch.
"Sochi was awarded the Games just a little over two years ago and I am very happy with the city's progress," he said.
The successful start of the Sochi 2014 marketing programme has allowed the Organising Committee to self-finance during 2009-2010, meaning the transfer of guaranteed state grants to the Organising Committee will be postponed.
Rogge added he has received assurances from Russian President Dmitry Medevdev that environmentalists' concerns about the Sochi Games would be taken seriously. The snow sports venues will be near a national park and a nature preserve.
