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Problems may arise at tests of Sochi bobsleigh/luge tracks - view

According to the report, the president has, 83 facilities are finished, and certain stages are finalised at 26 facilities

SOCHI, January 5 (Itar-Tass) —— Problems in organisation of test competitions at Sochi’s Olympic facilities may arise at bobsleigh/luge tracks and ski jumps, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said on Thursday.

“Our general forecast is that all test competitions will have no problems,” he told reporters following a meeting headed by President Dmitry Medvedev. The meeting was devoted to preparations of the Olympic facilities and to test competitions. “As yet, at risk are two facilities most complicated from the technical point of view – ski jumps and bobsleigh/luge tracks,” Kozak said.

He assured the media that the government will do everything possible to prepare the facilities for the test competitions in time.

“It is very important to test all these complicated facilities before the Games several times during national and international competitions,” he said.

Kozak named among the problems possible drawbacks in projecting and geological aspects.

“No doubt, they are the risk zone of the year, but we are sure that by 2012 – early 2013 there are no risks,” the deputy prime minister said. “Anyway, we shall cope with the current tasks.”

Russia’s commission on test competitions will have a meeting in the second part of January, and it will discuss necessary action both at the mountain and the sea-side clusters. Kozak said that the upcoming test competitions are expected to feature 1,700 athletes and up to six thousand audience.

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev ordered obligatory testing of all facilities which are being constructed for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

At the meeting devoted to test competitions of the 2012 winter-spring season, the president stressed that many sports facilities are becoming arenas for sports events.

“In compliance with the existing international practice all new facilities should undergo testing before opening of the Games,” he said on Thursday. “I am drawing your attention that this must be done.”

According to the report, the president has, 83 facilities are finished, and certain stages are finalised at 26 facilities.