Brand-new Facilities and Long-lasting Legacy Are Highlights of Sochi's Bid to Host First-ever Olympic Winter Games in Russia

Doha, Qatar, October 3, 2006 - The Sochi 2014 Bid launched its international campaign today unveiling its corporate identity and slogan at a global press conference held simultaneously in Sochi and Moscow, with briefings held in several countries around the world, including Qatar.

H.E. Mr. Andrew V. Andreev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the State of Qatar was joined at the press conference in Qatar by Sochi 2014 Sports Ambassador and world champion, Russian gymnast Lyaysan Utyasheva.

Utayasheva, who also visited Aspire today to view the 2006 Doha Asian Games' gymnastics venue, said Sochi 2014 would be a catalyst for change for the Russian Federation.

"As the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, Qatar's citizens and residents, as well as athletes from across the Asian region are making final preparations for December's Asian Games here in Doha, Russia today is launching its formal campaign to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi in 2014.

"As athletes we are eager to bring the Games to Russia because we believe that this event would leave a lasting legacy for the global Olympic Movement and for the Russian society, both economically and socially. Hosting the Winter Games in Sochi will be the Gateway to a Russian Renaissance as it will bring positive change through infrastructure and economic investment," she said.

At the press conference in Russia, Bid leaders were joined by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government and head of the Government Committee for Sochi 2014 Alexander Zhukov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, Sports Minister Vyacheslav Fetisov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Leonid Tyagachev, the reigning Olympic men's figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko, other sports federation officials, celebrity athletes, and civic and business leaders supporting the Bid.

The attendees were addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government and head of the Government Committee for Sochi 2014 Alexander Zhukov, a passionate and vocal supporter of Sochi's bid, who said in a message:

"The Sochi 2014 Candidacy is an exciting opportunity to bring the Olympic Winter Games to Russia, the ultimate winter sport country -- for the first time ever.  

We are delighted to be entering a new stage in the bidding process the international campaign for Sochi 2014 and to have an opportunity to tell the world about why the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Russian nation and the Olympic movement."

Underscoring the global dimension of its future international programme, the simultaneous launch briefings took place in Sydney, Australia; Milan, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; Doha, Qatar; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and London, UK.

During the launch events, Sochi 2014 highlighted three compelling strengths that should allow Russia to host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for the first time in the nation's 50-year history as a leading Winter Olympic power.

1. Technically excellent bid offering brand-new facilities built for the sports of the 21st Century and beyond

Sochi has developed a visionary yet realistic proposal that offers an innovative, compact Games with brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically to meet the needs of today's and future athletes and the Olympic Family. 

The plans have been drafted by internationally recognized Olympic experts, engineers and architects and feature bold, innovative and aesthetically-advanced designs.  The construction of all the facilities has been guaranteed by the Russian Government as part of its commitment to the economic development of the region.  Building work on some of the regional infrastructural projects, which will support the Winter Games should Sochi be selected as Host City, has already commenced.

2. Visionary plan for a lasting legacy for Russia, the region and the Olympic Movement 

The 2014 Winter Games would serve as a catalyst of the social and economic development of the Sochi region, helping to launch its renaissance as a world-class, year-round resort.  Furthermore, the Games would also establish Sochi as Russia's first national winter sports destination, to be used for the training of Russia's elite athletes, the development of sport among the new generations of sport enthusiasts and for the enjoyment of winter tourists from Russia and the neighboring nations (currently, a combined population of over 200 million).

The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would also help drive positive change across multiple areas of life in Russia. 

The Games would help integrate the people with disabilities into the fabric of the social life in the country, highlighting importance of accessibility and participation. 

The Games would also set a gold standard in the nation's approach to environmental issues, demonstrating how environmental protection and sustainability can be an integral and beneficial part of major development projects.  The organization and hosting of the event would also highlight the importance of corporate social responsibility and set the new benchmarks of transparency and accountability for major public and private enterprises in the country.

Russia has an exceptionally strong historic affinity with the Olympic Games and the values of the Olympic Movement. Hosting its first ever Olympic Winter Games would help reinforce these values in a society currently enjoying an economic and political renaissance.

This unique emphasis on legacy and the opportunities presented to the Olympic Movement by the 2014 Sochi Winter Games has been captured in the bid's slogan, Sochi 2014: Gateway to the Future, which was also revealed at today's launch. 

3. Once-in-a-lifetime Winter Games experience 

The Sochi 2014 bid promises an unforgettable experience for the athletes, the spectators, and all participants of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, offering a magnificent setting for the largest celebration of winter sport. 

Breathtaking 2,000 meter-high mountains with exceptional quality of snow are less than an hour's drive from the city of Sochi, a favorite Russian resort city on the beautiful Black Sea coast, often referred to as the Russian Riviera.  Visitors to the Games in Sochi in 2014 would be assured the warmest of winter welcomes from a region that is legendary for its hospitality.  The experience would be made even more memorable by the well-known Russian passion for winter sport, which would create an exhilarating atmosphere throughout the Games.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the Sochi 2014 Bid CEO, said:

"Sochi 2014 holds out the promise of a sweeping, long-lasting legacy for Russia and the Olympic Movement.  Never before has the IOC had such a dramatic opportunity to establish a brand-new winter sport capital in an ultimate winter sport nation.  Never before has Russia had such a breathtaking chance to build a brilliant future in winter sport and inspire new generations with Olympic ideals of fairness, equality and friendly competition. 

"We have called our bid 'Gateway to the Future' to underscore the great legacy of these Games in Russia.  However, wrapped in the promise of this legacy is the promise of a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the athletes, the Olympic Family and all those who come here should Sochi win the honour of being selected as host for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The stunning beauty of this region and the brand-new facilities we have committed to building for the Games will ensure that the first-ever Winter Games in Russia are a fitting celebration of winter sport and the Olympic Movement."

-Ends-

© Press Release 2006