Denver, Colorado - The International Olympic Committee on Thursday voiced satisfaction with the progress being made by organizers of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Meeting in Denver, Colorado, the IOC heard from French skiing legend Jean-Claude Killy, chairman of the Sochi evaluation committee, that progress in preparing the games in the Black Sea resort city were making satisfactory progress.

Organizers said that construction of venues could begin as soon as May.

The IOC also voted to abolish the international legs of the Olympic torch relay leading up the games.

The move follows massive demonstrations and even rioting in several cities around the world - including Paris and London - by people protesting against China's human-rights record and other policies ahead of last year's Beijing Games. (dpa)