London - The International Olympic Committee on Thursday heaped praise on London's preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

Denis Oswald, the head of the IOC coordination committee, said he was "deeply impressed" by the progress over the past six months since the last visit and that he expects "excellent Games."

The IOC inspectors travelled venues and met with organizers during a three-day visit which concluded on Thursday.

Oswald said that projects such as the Olympic Stadium and the athletes village were on or even ahead of schedule and expressed his confidence that the global recession won't affect the Olympic construction effort.

Oswald said that transportation remaines a challenge, but that didn't spoil the overall impression of the work done by local organizers headed by Lord Sebastian Coe.

"We gained the impression once again that the preparations are in good hands," said Oswald. "The Games are on a good way." (dpa)