International Olympic Committee president very happy with planning process
Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic Committee president, is so happy with progress in the planning of the London 2012 Games that he is confident that the Games will be a
"great success."
The public praise of fellow organisers came immediately following a three day IOC executive board meeting in Acapulco, Mexico, where things couldn't have gone any smoother.
Rogge said many of the obstacles and challenges the committee face are similar for every Olympic Games committee, and that periods of development tend to mirror each other.
''London is going extremely well. This is really a very good preparation. Test events are a very good indicator.''
An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Rogge acknowledged that Britain was the country that had invented many modern sports and that they continue to be a key player on the international stage.
''They are very strong in sport, the British Olympic Association at the last two games was outstanding and I have every confidence in their success."
Aside from keeping the IOC in check, Rogge spent some time in Acapulco easing sporting discussions amongst Israel and Palestine. Both countries are expected to meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, in early 2012
to discuss joint sports concerns.
Dr. Rogge said, "Palestinian athletes have trouble coming to Palestine, travelling back from international competitions, which is sometimes a lengthy process. The two [countries spoke] together,
agreed on inventory of issues that have to be solved, an inventory of bilateral support and exchanges that could be carried out."
Rogge acknowledged Haiti will be the next country to receive an Olympic Youth Development Centre in connection with its Sports for Hope initiative. The initiative offers young people in developing countries opportunities to practice
and cultivate sports, as well as learn about Olympic values.
An Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, was the first Centre to come out of the initiative.
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