Olympic boss upbeat as torch heads to London

LONDON: Olympic chief Jacques Rogge flew into London on Friday a week ahead of the opening ceremony and predicted a "great Games", giving a boost to organisers who have been on the defensive over a security fiasco, travel disruptions and even persistent rain.

The biggest single problem in the runup to the July 27-Aug. 12 Games has been the shortage of guards to secure venues, after the company G4S failed to meet its staffing targets and thousands of extra soldiers were brought in to fill the gaps.

The Belgian surgeon, overseeing his last Olympics before stepping down as International Olympic Committee (IOC) president next year, added that in spite of "some difficulties", preparations for the greatest show on earth had been sound.

"I believe these will be a great Games," he told Reuters at the official IOC hotel in central London.

He was equally sanguine about the weather, a favourite topic of discussion among reporters and members of the public after some of the wettest months on record.

"It might affect in a minor way scheduling for tennis at Wimbledon, but other than that I do not see many problems."

His comments will be welcomed by Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Olympic organising committee (LOCOG) and a gold medal winner, who has faced a barrage of questions about a series of organisational hitches that have dominated headlines in Britain.

Transport delays loom over the event, with border officials going on strike on July 26 and train drivers in central England walking out from Aug. 6-8 during the final week of the Games.

Athletes as well as visitors could be caught up in the disruption, with Australia's cycling team among those due to arrive in Britain on July 26.

"We are in discussions with LOCOG and they are aware of it," said Nick Green, Australian chef de mission. (AFP)