The Olympic mountains need a snowfall only to offer a pleasant postcard view to the world following the games on television ... the tracks are ready for the races.

The message we want to give them with the torch relay. ... we get that message back in our face. It's very dangerous.

We are very happy with the preparations. We see the concept working in Vancouver between the IOC and the city. It's going as planned. The support of the population is very high.

The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone here and there who thinks and feels with us, and though distant, is close to us in spirit - this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden

It's only two games. We know where we are at in the world.

We also have the World Cup in Athens and the World Championships in Stockholm apart from the Asian Games in Doha, so it is going to be a pretty hectic season.