Jacques Rogge said Vancouver is laying the groundwork for a successful Winter Olympics, adding that security and economic concerns won't spoil the Games.

"The infrastructure is almost ready and the test events are in full phase," Rogge said. "Everything bodes well for the Games."

This is the International Olympic Committee president's second visit to the 2010 host city, which is holding a number of sporting and cultural events this week to launch the one-year countdown to the Games.

Speaking in the ski town of Whistler, Rogge said Vancouver organisers should be commended for the way they are keeping costs in check through the global economic crisis.

Rogge expects security, social order, accommodation and transportation issues to be sorted out when the Olympic torch is lit in one year's time.

"The Games and sport are embedded in society," Rogge said. "We undergo issues both good and bad.

"Issues in the past like the Munich massacre and boycotts are things we have to fight against. Sport is not separate from society."

Concern has been raised over the cost of setting up a security shield around the Vancouver Games. There have been delays in releasing the security budget figures and it is believed the final cost could reach one billion Canadian dollars ($1.23 billion). That would be five times higher than the figure in Vancouver's original bid package.

Vancouver organisers admitted Wednesday that there are problems with a lack of accommodation in the mountain community of Whistler, which will host ski jumping, cross country, alpine, bobsled, luge and skeleton.

"The problem we have is one we want to have, where the pressure is intense," said John Furlong, chief executive of the Vancouver Organising Committee.

Rogge said rather than dwell on the current economic problems, people should consider the long-term financial benefit to the community of staging an Olympics. He pointed to the partially built Vancouver athlete's village, which has run into a financing snag.

The city had to get a loan to pay for the completion of the village which will be sold as housing units after the Games.

"I am glad to say that what (Vancouver organisers) are doing is a stimulus for the economy and employment," Rogge said.

Vancouver youth gangs have also been involved in a violent drug war, including brazen daytime shootings that many fear will eventually result in the deaths of innocent people caught in the crossfire. There is public anger over six shootings in Vancouver just last week.

Asked if the reckless behaviour of armed youths would tarnish the image of Vancouver and deter people from coming to the Olympics, Rogge said the police are on top of things.

"We are confident authorities will take steps to solve the issue," Rogge said. "Security in Vancouver will be better because of the Games.

"We live in the real world not utopia. We have to take into account there is violence."

AFP