The commission's three day visit coincided with the Alpine World Cup at Rosa Khutor in the Krasnaya Polyana mountain range, a key venue for the Sochi 2014 Games.

The Commission took in the men's World Cup event at the start of the trip, with the women's version taking place this weekend.

They also went to a number of Games venues including the Olympic Stadium in the Olympic Park, as well as the Olympic Village.

A host of other test events have been taking place in Sochi, and the commission chairman, Jean-Claude Killy (pictured left), said: "We have now seen two of the most difficult sports events to stage on the Winter Olympic programme take place on these new Olympic courses."

During the trip, the commission also saw Sochi 2014 ambassador Yuri Bashmet perform with The Soloists of Moscow at the Bolshoi Ice Palace in the Olympic Park as part of the Cultural Olympiad Year of Music.

Dmitry Kozak, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, recently complained about delays as a result of administrative issues to a number of Sochi 2014 projects, but Killy was unconcerned by any such problems.


Speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of their visit, Killy (pictured left) said: "We're very satisfied...there are two years left and they will be the most difficult, but we see no reason for concern.

"The Winter Olympics is probably the most complicated sporting event in the world and we shouldn't forget it.

"Work is being carried out on schedule, the IOC truly believes in the Organising Committee to coordinate the event.

"This illustrates the great amount of effort that has taken place."

In response to a question from insidethegames, Kozak (pictured centre) said that all the sports venues would be ready by the end of the year, adding: "We can accomplish all the goals...we're very optimistic."

His views were shared by Sochi 2014 President Dmitry Chernyshenko (pictured right), who said: "Infrastructure projects are well on track and we will welcome you [all] for the next season of test events."

The development of the venues for the Sochi Winter Olympics continues to progress smoothly, according to the latest report, in what is billed as "Europe's biggest construction project".

Sochi is also overhauling its infrastructure, building new roads to alleviate congestion in the city, increasing its air capacity, as well as constructing a rail link to the mountains where the alpine ski events will take place.

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