IOC Evaluation Commission Departs Sochi Praising Strong Public Support and Unique Bid Assets

IOC Evaluation Commission Departs Sochi Praising Strong Public Support and Unique Bid Assets

23.02.07

The International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission concluded its visit to Sochi today by praising the strong support for the Sochi 2014 bid among the Russian public, the government, the Russian Olympic Movement and the athletes. The Commission Chairman Chiharu Igaya and Commission Member Gilbert Felli also commended the bid for its compact plan and first-class facilities proposed for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

At the final conference of the Evaluation Commission`s visit to Sochi, the Commission members spoke of the spectacular and unique setting, which Sochi offers for the Winter Games, as a significant strong point of Sochi`s bid to host the 2014 Winter Games. The Commission also noted Russia`s great passion and heritage in winter sport.

Evaluation Commission Chairman Chiharu Igaya said: "[Sochi has] tremendous government support, starting from President Putin to government ministers, Olympic Committee, Sochi citizens, athletes – you have support from all kinds of people and this is one of the strongest points."

Mr. Igaya also described Sochi 2014 as a unique bid set in a spectacular location, and was particularly enthusiastic about the skiing conditions in Krasnaya Polyana.

"Should [Sochi] get the Games, I will be very happy to come back here in 2014 to enjoy skiing in Russian snow," Mr. Igaya added.

The Russian Government, the athletes and the residents of Sochi have come together to offer their passionate support of Sochi`s bid to host the 2014 Winter Games. President Vladimir Putin personally appealed to the Evaluation Commission to award Sochi the honour of hosting the Games at a private dinner with the Commission members and at the press conference that preceded it.

During the visit, the Evaluation Commission heard directly from the top ministers in the Russian Government, including the Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, Minister of Trade and Economic Development Herman Gref, Minister of Natural Resources Yuri Trutnev, Mayor of Sochi Viktor Kolodyazhny, among other top Federal and local officials. Russian IOC members Vitaly Smirnov, Shamil Tarpischev and Alexander Popov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Leonid Tyagachev and Head of the Federal Agency for Physical Training and Sports Vyacheslav Fetisov also addressed the Evaluation Commission.

Mayor of Sochi Viktor Kolodyazhny said: "This past week served as an example of the vibrant and exciting atmosphere that will permeate Sochi if our city wins the honour to serve as host of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The street decorations, hundreds of inspired volunteers, and the rich cultural programme, which was on offer this week, all serve to demonstrate our deep commitment to making the Games an unforgettable experience for all involved."

Over the course of the past four days, the Evaluation Commission members examined plans for venues and visited the mountain and coastal sites in stunning locations that would serve as a fitting setting for a once-in-a-lifetime Winter Games. The compact, convenient and sustainable venue plan was presented in much detail by some of the world`s top experts in the Olympic field.

The Commission had the opportunity to confirm that, should Sochi be chosen to host the Games, the skiing competitions would take place in a mountain setting with mild temperatures, ideal snow conditions and excellent trails to rival many of the top European resorts. The ice competitions would be only 40 minutes away on the sunny Black Sea coast.

The bid`s presentations concluded with the proposed Sochi 2014 Cultural Programme, built upon the rich Russian cultural heritage in music, theatre and the arts.

Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said: "We hope that in the last four days we have demonstrated to the Commission a clear Sochi 2014 vision to provide brand-new facilities and custom-built venues to meet the needs of the 21st Century Olympic Movement. We have shown that the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would leave a lifetime of sporting, economic and social legacy for Sochi, for Russia and our many neighboring nations, as well as the entire Olympic movement.

"Russia would inherit its first dedicated winter sports complex to ensure that a new generation of Russian athletes, inspired by the first-ever Winter Games in Russia, could turn inspiration into aspiration.

"Our legacy will be much more than bricks and cement. I believe that the Commission members have felt the extent of the positive impact the Games would leave on Russian society. From increased awareness and provision for people with disabilities to improved corporate and environmental governance – the Games will dramatically improve Russia."