Construction is behind schedule at the ski jump facility for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and another site may fall behind soon, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said Wednesday.
Russia is building everything needed to host a Winter Olympics from scratch in what organizers call the biggest project in Europe in the last half century, costing upwards of $30 billion.
The K-125 hill at the ski jump site hosted its first test event earlier this month with a stage of the men’s Cup of Russia, although that was postponed by eight days over building delays.
“In terms of the sports facilities, there are no delays as of today, with the exception of one facility,” Kozak said. “In the current conditions, the only facility where the work schedule has been breached is the ski jump complex.”
Kozak added that another facility may be declared behind schedule Thursday, but declined to name the site in question. The delays would be made up soon, he added.
Kozak said in January that more than 70 construction projects for the games, including infrastructure in the city of Sochi were behind schedule, but denied that the Olympics would be affected.
A delegation from the International Olympic Committee visited Sochi earlier this month during a round of the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup, proclaiming themselves satisfied with work on the Olympic facilities.
"We see no reason for concern. ... We are confident the Olympic Games will go smoothly, very well," IOC chairman Jean-Claude Killy said.
