The International Olympic Committee's executive board will address several key issues when it meets for three days starting Wednesday in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The impasse over drug testing at the Turin Winter Games, possible new events such as women's boxing at the 2012 Games and a final ruling in Jerome Young's doping case are among the issues on the agenda.
On Friday, Italian organizers will give an update on preparations for the Winter Olympics, which open in Turin on February 10. After a September inspection, the IOC reported preparations were "nearly complete." However, organizers say government budget cuts of almost $64 million could force some cutbacks.
Most pressing is Italy's refusal to ease laws that make doping a criminal offense during the Olympics. Government officials have refused proposals, raising the possibility of athletes being arrested or jailed for doping.
The IOC says the Olympic rules, which punish athletes who use performance enhancing drugs with bans rather than criminal sanctions, were accepted by Turin organizers when they were awarded the games in 1999.
Some information for this report prepared by AP and AFP.