Final budget approved for Torino Games

Final budget approved for Torino Games{mosimage}TORINO, Italy (AP) — The final budget for next month’s Torino Olympics was approved Monday, ending months of delays because of government cuts and a shortfall estimated at more than $96 million.

The vote had been scheduled for last month and was further delayed last week while the Torino organizing committee completed last-minute sponsorships and other plans to cover the gap.

The plans include a scratch-card lottery expected to produce $24 million. City and local authorities are to chip in upward of $48 million, helped by the sale of 200 apartments in the athletes’ village. Another $24 million will come from the Piedmont region that includes Turin.

The overall cost of the Feb. 10-26 Olympics is estimated at more than $3.6 billion.

-The Associated Press