Final preparations for the Winter Olympics continue in Turin, Italy , with workers adding finishing touches to the medals stage.

The games start this Friday and continue until closing ceremonies on February 26th.

International Olympic Committee communications director, Giselle Davies, says the committee is excited about the games drawing closer and believes they will be a huge success.

Her comments have come as demonstrators over a proposed high-speed rail link, have caused the path of the Olympic flame to be diverted.

The media director for the torch relay said protesters had kicked a police vehicle and had unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the Olympic flame with a protest banner.

Giselle Davies said the protesters against the torch were "in a minority".

"The Olympic flame, the torch, is very symbolic of Olympic values, peace, friendship and so-on. I think it's worth stressing they are very much in the minority of the issues. Some six million or so people around Italy have been touched in a very positive way...."

About 2,500 athletes will compete under 85 different flags in this year's Winter Olympics.