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Jean Claude Killy is heading the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission that is in Sochi for two days examining proposed Olympic venues and provisions for accommodation, transportation and communication for the 2014 Winter Games.

The Associated Press reports Killy gave a glowing assessment of preparations for the 2014 Games saying, "the Russian diamond is shining more and more with each passing day".

Killy said that increasing coordination between sporting bodies and government agencies will be key to ensuring a successful Games.

Most of the venues for the 2014 Games are being built from scratch, including the seaside site that is to include ice arenas, a ceremonial stadium and the main Olympic Village, reports the Associated Press. In the mountains 22 miles away, the snow sport venues will require a new road and rail link from the shore to the mountains.

Although Russia's economy has ground to a halt slowing the construction industry, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who is overseeing Sochi's preparations, said Wednesday that the funds earmarked for building work will be allocated as planned. He said, "the Olympics are a "priority national project" for Russia and enjoy "maximum support from the government".

Construction on Olympic facilities is on schedule and the building of access roads, depots and other logistics facilities have been largely completed, said Kozak, adding that full-scale construction work at a number of sites are set to start this summer.

He said, "we can say with complete certainty that all the sports and infrastructure facilities will be completed by 2012".

(Source: Gamesbids.com)