The International Olympic Committee said yesterday it was "impressed" with the preparations for the London 2012 Games after a detailed two-day review of the project. Denis Oswald, chairman of the IOC coordination commission, and Gilbert Felli, the executive director, also had an hour-long meeting with Tessa Jowell, the Olympics minister, which was described as "very constructive".
The review, a regular catch-up between IOC technical experts and the organisers, was overshadowed by speculation about costs. The government is expected shortly to announce the construction budget has near-doubled from £3.3bn.
The IOC said it had an "understanding of the processes in place by which the government will finalise its budget". Privately, the IOC is concerned that damaging headlines caused by the lingering uncertainty about finances could undermine the image of the Games. The IOC said it felt "assured and impressed across the board" by the organising committee's preparations on an agenda that included transport, environment, venue construction and accommodation.
Oswald said: "Our meetings were very productive and effective. Regarding finance, we are very happy with Locog's [the London Games organising committee] budget, which was broken down clearly for us, and is balanced and unchanged at around the £2bn mark." This particular budget, for running the Games, will be financed via sponsorship, TV income, ticket sales and merchandise.
"In the numerous functional areas Locog presented to us, it was clear there has been thorough work and progress since the IOC's last visit," Oswald said. The full coordination commission returns to London in June, when IOC members will go on a series of detailed site visits.
The Conservatives continued to maintain pressure on the government, opposing further raids on the national lottery. Hugh Robertson, shadow sports minister, said: "It will be a travesty if the lottery is decimated as a result of the chancellor's mismanagement of the budget."
Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, said: "The public supported the Olympics on the basis of the costs they saw at the time. What they didn't do is give ministers carte blanche to run up bills which community facilities and projects may end up footing."
