IOC chief Rogge full of praise for Russian organizers of 2014 Winter Games

SOCHI, Russia - IOC President Jacques Rogge says he is impressed by preparations for the Sochi Olympics, which open a year from now.

Rogge, who is touring the Olympic venues ahead of the one-year countdown, praised the organizers Wednesday.

Rogge told The Associated Press "I'm impressed with the fact that the site is very compact, it's high quality and is situated in beautiful surroundings."

Russia's first Winter Olympics will take place in a coastal cluster along the Black Sea resort as well as in the surrounding mountain region.