The president of Turin's organising commmittee (TOROC) for the
2006 winter Olympic Games has resigned. His decision is a protest
at what he sees as the Italian government's meddling in the organisation
of the Games.
Transport and accommodation issues
TOROC president Valentino Castellani, who says he will resign at
the next meeting of the organising committee at the end of this
month, has in recent months had to fight off reports of the Games'
imminent demise because of transport and accommodation problems.
Latest reports in La Repubblica newspaper suggest that TOROC has
a budget deficit of 180 million euros ($306m) out of a total budget
of 1.175 billion euros.
The former leftist mayor of the northern Italian city's decision
comes a day after Italy decided that full responsibility for the
organisation of the Games should be handed to the Italian under-secretary
for Sport Mario Pescante. It was that move which prompted Castellani's
decision.
The changes at the head of TOROC come amid general uncertainty over
the orgainsation of the Games. Ten days ago Turin mayor Sergio Chiamparino
ordered an immediate audit of the 2006 Winter Olympics accounts to
find a way out of what he has described as a financial dead end.
Shift of responsibility
"The powers given to Mario Pescante are a real slap in the
face and shows there exists no trust in the work we have done so
far and the work we have still to do," said Castellani in a
written statement. "I've tried to always give priority to the
work that has been done and tried to do my best for what is a great
opportunity for the city, the region, and for Italy. Today, however,
I say enough is enough. To continue in the same vein is pointless.
You simply can't do a job like mine if you don't have the confidence
and support of all those who share the responsibility of organising
the Games."
Five hour commute possible
Last week International Ski Federation (FIS) president Gian-Franco
Kasper said Turin was 4000 rooms short of requirements and transport
glitches could force some fans to make five-hour trips to see events
at the Games. According to the FIS, Turin organisers have failed
to persuade local people to vacate and rent their homes and apartments
for the Olympic period.
Castellani affirmed that the money from a specially held lottery
could help to balance the books. Ticket sales, meanwhile, are expected
to bring in 75m euros, a figure which will be the third most important
in the event's revenues following the sale of television rights
and sponsors.
