Sochi 2014 Proceeding At Impressive Pace - IOC Commission

During a visit to the Innsbruck Youth Games, Kozak said that the venues in question are almost ready and only formalities are causing the delays.

He said through a translator, "they are not major delays. All in all, there are 400 venues that have to be constructed and 70 of them isn't such a huge delay. Basically, all these venues are built. The delays are related to some paperwork.

"In the end I think we'll finish everything in time. Speaking about the infrastructure, we don't have any concern whatsoever. My main concern is the success of our Russian sportsmen. It's going to be a huge regret if our own sportsmen don't perform their best".

Although the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) reportedly warned Russian officials two years ago that construction delays could threaten plans for the Games, which included building all new facilities, the IOC's coordination commission for Sochi 2014 has since said the construction of the venues had been proceeding at an impressive pace.

Kozak added, "this project will have a very important heritage for the country. This is the only sub-tropical region in Russia. We are working to make it into a very popular resort".