London makes 'good progress' on Olympics

An International Olympic Committee commission credited Olympic organizers in London with "good progress" in their preparations for the 2012 Summer Games. The IOC Coordination Commission on Friday ended its next-to-last visit to London ahead of the Games, which are scheduled for July 27-Aug. 12. The commission has its final pre-Games update in London March 28-30. "London 2012 continues to make good progress toward delivering great Olympic Games next summer," said IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald. "We have once again been impressed by the overall level of planning and by the results of the first group of test events that were held this summer." Commission members remarked on organizers' collaboration with other groups preparing for the Games. That has allowed officials to "start testing their operations in optimal conditions," an IOC release stated. "We have had a very busy six months since the last Coordination Commission visit, selling tickets, recruiting volunteers and relentlessly testing all our operations, including delivering 17 sport test events this summer," said London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe. "We are delighted to receive such strong endorsement from the IOC. With only 42 Fridays until the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, everyone at LOCOG is focused on putting on Games the whole country can be proud of and a part of."