Putin sure Sochi Games prep will be completed
MOSCOW -- Vladimir Putin says he is certain next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi will be successful despite concerns about construction delays and huge cost overruns.
The Russian president spoke during a nationally televised question-and-answer session, commenting on media reports of corruption and quality problems in building the Olympic facilities.
Putin said Thursday he is "absolutely convinced that everything that needs to be done to prepare for the Olympics will be completed with proper quality and in time."
In February, Putin demanded the firing of the deputy head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Akhmad Bilalov, over construction of the ski jump complex. Its cost soared from $40 million to $265 million and was behind schedule. Bilalov, who led the company building the ski jump, resigned.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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