Olympics on track, IOC

All construction for the Athens Olympics will be completed on time for the August 13-29 Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said here on Wednesday after its final inspection visit. "We know everything will be ready on time... no single project is at risk," IOC chief inspector Denis Oswald told a press conference after a three-day visit to the Olympic sites. "In the past we had doubts. I am very happy to report all these doubts have disappeared," Oswald added. His comments followed months of concern worldwide that preparations for the Games were lagging and that the four-yearly sporting extravaganza could turn into an embarrassing summer fiasco. Oswald took particular pleasure that work to install a controversial giant, glass-steel roof over the main Olympic stadium had begun and was into a third day. Oswald admitted that the IOC had issued several strong warnings to the Greek organisers' over construction delays, but he said the situation had completely changed. The roof's 9,000-ton western wing is expected to be in place as early as Wednesday evening, while its eastern twin will be installed later this month.