Main Sochi Stadium Still Unfinished
Sochi’s Fisht Stadium remains incomplete less than four months before the Winter Olympics.
"They have not even started to paint the walls inside or lay floors on the concrete staircases," said Alexander Valov, editor of Blogsochi.ru, to the Moscow Times.
Despite a record expenditure of $50 billion on the games, the Russian government failed to ensure construction remained on schedule at the venue set to host the Opening Ceremonies on February 7.
Construction at Fisht began in 2009 and was supposed to be finished by this summer to provide ample rehearsal time. Instead, the completion date has been pushed back to the end of the year.
" Given the Ceremonies’ scale, rehearsals for the Opening and Closing ceremonies are currently underway across Russia," said a spokesperson for Sochi 2014. "Final rehearsals will take place at the Fisht Olympic Stadium."
It is the only major venue still under construction.
PyeongChang 2018 Re-elects President
Kim Jin-sun, president of the PyeongChang 2018 organizing committee, was re-elected on Friday in Seoul.
"First of all, I will make sure that all infrastructures, such as venues, transportation networks, and other related facilities, are completed on time as planned," said Kim.
A majority of assembly members were in attendance. Moon Donghoo, the incumbent secretary general, had his re-appointment approved as well.
Rio 2016 Canoe Slalom Set for Deodoro
The International Canoe Federation tells Around the Rings that it is close to inking a deal with Rio 2016 organizers to keep canoe slalom at the Deodoro Olympic Park.
Official confirmation is expected in the coming week following an ICF cost and design analysis of the original venue plan and an alternative proposal to relocate 700 miles north to the Foz do Iguassu course that emerged due to soaring construction costs.
The ICF has maintained that Rio 2016 can deliver an Olympic-quality venue in the city on budget and on time.
"We have worked hard to ensure the best outcome for our sport, staying in Rio," an ICF spokesman told ATR Thursday.
"It is crucial that canoe slalom is part of the Games and not isolated 700 miles away."
He added, "We await final confirmation that we will be at Deodoro, but the signs are positive."
Reported by Nick Devlin and Mark Bisson
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