The International Olympic Committee (IOC) praised London 2012 head Sebastian Coe and his team and said it expects the Games to be a major success despite continuing challenges with security and transportation ahead of Friday’s Opening Ceremony.
According to The Associated Press, IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “the preparation phase was definitely a great success – now comes the crucial delivery phase. I remain very optimistic”.
Coe delivered his final report to the IOC Tuesday, declaring that organizers have lived up to the promises they made when they secured the Games seven years ago.
Coe said his organizing committee had delivered on promises of promoting youth, revitalizing east London using a mix of existing, new and temporary venues, and providing the best conditions for the more than 10,000 athletes from 204 countries.
Following seven years of preparations Coe compared the final countdown to the experience of an athlete. He said, “we’re probably not in the first of the call rooms, we’re now in the last of the call rooms. We’ve gone from the training track to the warm-up track to the stadium.
“The volunteers are in place. The city is dressed. The torch is on its way. Tomorrow the Games of the 30th Olympiad begin in Cardiff”.
Denis Oswald, head of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for London 2012, said the city had done more than other previous hosts to deliver on its bid pledges. He said, “the London Games remain an example of the vision not being changed. It wasn’t just a sales pitch. It’s a spectacular illustration of the power of the Games to change peoples’ lives and change the face of a city.
He added, “of all recent host cities, London can claim to be the one that has done the most to ensure its venues and facilities do not turn into white elephants after the Games”.
Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s executive director for the Olympics, told reporters that getting through the Opening Ceremony and first full day of competition are the big tests. “Those are the two days that are tense. We believe everything has been done and things will go smoothly. We trust they will deliver”.
