President of Olympstroy, Taimuraz Bolloyev, reported to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the progress made in the construction of Olympic facilities, namely a central stadium, an ice palace, an enclosed speed skating rink, and the Bolshoi and Maly ice arenas. The Bolshoi Ice Arena, to be inaugurated in May 2012, will accommodate 12,000 people. Construction began in 2009. Mr Bolloyev also highlighted the project for an Olympic park, to be inaugurated in March 2013.

Twelve facilities have been constructed so far under the programme to construct Olympic venues and develop Sochi as an alpine resort, with another 81 facilities currently under construction. Over 20,000 workers and some 2,800 machines are involved in the construction.

Mr Bolloyev informed the prime minister that construction is on schedule, and the Bolshoi Ice Arena is expected to be finished three months ahead of schedule.

He noted that 8% of those employed at the construction sites are university students, and their number has been growing - from 200 in 2009 to 1,500 in 2010.