The report, released earlier this week, suggested Russia's state-owned rail monopoly is depositing large quantities of waste into an illegal landfill in Akhshtyr, just north of the Black Sea resort,

If true, this would come in direct violation of the "Zero Waste" pledge for the Olympics where, as part of the "cleanest Games ever", Sochi 2014 promised to refrain from dumping construction waste and rely instead on reusable materials. 

Furthermore, the Olympic Village lies in an area where dumping construction waste and soil is forbidden under the Russian Water Code due to fears of contamination.

This is because moisture from the landfill could seeps into underground springs that feed the nearby Mzymta River, which provides up to half the water supply in Sochi.

This has overshadowed Sochi 2014's announcement today it will "fulfill its commitment to compensate for the direct carbon footprint of the Sochi 2014 Games' preparation and staging".

As well as the carbon footprint commitment the report has also threatened to shadow the 100 days to go celebrations ahead of the Games


In a statement, the IOC passed no direct judgement on the Ahshtyr site but insisted they had been given "every assurance" that the Games will be environmentally sustainable.

"It is important for the IOC that the Organising Committees deliver the Games in a sustainable way and with respect for the environment," an IOC spokesman said.

"Sochi 2014's zero waste objective is linked to its operational waste at Games-time and they have given us every assurance of their commitment to that objective."

Regarding the Ahshtyr site, the spokesman added "we understand that this was an illegal dump, which was handling construction waste and that the organisations responsible have been fined," before adding that resolving the issue would be up to "relevant local authorities." 

Some senior IOC members were less unforgiving, however.

"If this is true, I am astonished," Gerhard Heiberg, a Norwegian IOC member who was head of Lillehammer 1994, told Associated Press.

"This would be a breach of confidence between the Russian authorities and the IOC.

"I really hope we will be able to solve this and work together with the Russian authorities to hopefully do something about it, so they can keep their promise of a zero-waste programme,"

Canadian IOC member Dick Pound also called for urgent action to determine the safety of the water supply.

"If you're the IOC, you say, 'Look, we've got this report, we're not in a position from Lausanne to assess it, but if it's true, this really does compromise your own citizenry and it compromises the Games,'" he told Associated Press.

"So could you please give us a quick and reliable report on what the hell is going on?"

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach departs a train alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin during his trip to Sochi




The report coincided with IOC World Conference on Sport and the Environment taking palce in Sochi. 

One of the speakers was Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who expressed his confidence in environmental preparations.

"I'm confident that our foreign guests will be able to evaluate with their own eyes the scale of the preparations for such a prestigious competition and be convinced that the work is going on in strict adherence to ecological requirements," he said. 

IOC President Thomas Bach also attended the Conference and warned hgh environmental standards must be maintained.

"Sport has long been well aware of this responsibility, and is moving forward with many like-minded partners by setting a good example," he said.

"The Olympic Movement has already shown the international community how sport can make a tangible contribution to reducing environmental impacts.

"We are helping in the search for sustainable solutions by providing highly practical guidelines and strategies, for implementation globally, but also locally."