"Vancouver is ready for 2010," declared the International Olympic Committee's checkup team chief yesterday.

"We are entering the home stretch," said coordination commission chair Rene Fasel. "People around the globe are watching and waiting for you - all of you from VANOC to its partners to the media - to deliver a great Games, not just for Canada but for the world."

The IOC panel made its ninth and last visit to Vancouver to gauge planning for the 2010 Winter Olympics, but didn't bring new global sponsorship funds to help financially struggling VANOC. IOC Games' executive director Gilbert Felli said there is no discord with VANOC over the $30 million budget gap. He did pledge IOC assistance with any post-Games losses.

"We don't know whether we will have a shortfall," said VANOC deputy CEO Dave Cobb. "We're very optimistic that that existing budget gap now will disappear and we're confident enough that we will count on that revenue and spend against it."

Meanwhile, Felli said the two-day, closed-door meetings included a discussion of Vancouver 2010 promotion efforts. IOC president Jacques Rogge said last week that more promotion would be useful.

"Many things have been done and also many things are coming from now until Games time," Felli said. "I'm sure that by the time we get to the opening ceremony that the perception of the Games in Vancouver will be different and more worldwide."

Bob Mackin reports for Vancouver 24 hours.