Confidence over 1976 Olympics

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33776, 24 February 1975, Page 5

Confidence over 1976 Olympics

(N.Z.PA.Reuter —Copyright) LAUSANNE (Switzerland). Canadian organisers have convinced the Internationa] Olympic Committee executive that the 1976 Montreal Games will open on; schedule barring some unforeseen development, i The 1.0. C. president (Lord Killanin) said the executive was convinced that, "barring some force majeure,” the; Olympic Games would open in Montreal on July 17, 1976. Lord Killanin said the ( executive board’s main wor-l I ries were to make sure that! 'the Olympic stadium com-; ;plex, which also houses ai swimming pool and press I 'centre, and the athletes’ vil-| ,lage would be ready in time. | There has been specula- : tion that the Olympics I might not open on time because of delays in con-' struction largely caused by a two-month strike of iron-1 workers from last November 'until January. Lord Killanin said the programme of Olympic events remained as reported by the Canadian organisers to the 1.0.C.’s annual meeting in' Vienna last October except for the equestrian events. In the three-day cross-

country equestrian event the jumping prize contest would! take place at a different! venue from the rest of the! competitions, because of a i problem about the stabling! of horses. Lord Killanin added that the schedule for some of the buildings remained very ; tight. The 1.0. C. executive would watch the progress of I the preparations with great icare.