Official resigns as Sochi 2014 building costs rise

MOSCOW — The head of the state corporation overseeing construction of sports facilities and infrastructure for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was replaced Thursday.

MOSCOW — The head of the state corporation overseeing construction of sports facilities and infrastructure for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was replaced Thursday.
    The change comes amid concerns that costs for the games have spiraled out of control.
    Regional Development Minister Dmitry Kozak said in televised comments Thursday that Semyon Vainshtok's resignation was planned several months in advance. He was only appointed to the position in September.
    Sochi Mayor Viktor Kolodyazhny has been named as Vainshtok's replacement.
    Russia was awarded the games last year, with an ambitious plan to build almost all the needed facilities from scratch at the Black Sea resort, including an elaborate light-rail system leading from the seaside ice-sport venues to the snow sports locations in the Caucasus Mountains 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the east.
    The construction projects are part of a 314 billion ruble (US $12.8 billion) ''federal target program'' to develop Sochi as a world-class resort area. The government has said it will contribute 185 billion rubles (US$7.5 billion), with the rest coming from private investors.
    But Sergei Stepashin, chairman of the Russian Audit Chamber, told a committee at the upper house of parliament earlier this week that ''the figures that were stated earlier have doubled.'' A delegation from the International Olympic Committee is expected in Sochi next week.

    — The Associated Press