Ukraine's President Wants Faster Preparations For 2012 European Championship

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko wants to accelerate preparations for the 2012 European Championship.

President Viktor Yushchenko
"January is the last month of planning," Yushchenko said Monday at a Co-ordination Council session on tournament preparations. "From February on, we begin to act."

Ukraine is co-hosting Euro 2012 with neighbouring Poland and both countries face the challenge of building stadiums and upgrading dilapidated infrastructure.

Yushchenko's call comes amid growing uncertainty about Kyiv's Olympic Stadium, where the final will be held.

Modernization of the stadium has been delayed by construction of a nearby shopping centre. UEFA has warned the centre could make the stadium unsuitable by blocking some exit routes from the stadium and compromising security.

UEFA last year awarded the prestigious event to the former eastern bloc for the first time since Yugoslavia hosted it in 1976.

Source: AP