The third season of the pre-Olympic test events program, the biggest in the history of the Winter Games, is coming to a close. It comprised over 70 international and national competitions in all of the Olympic and Paralympic sports. We are very pleased with results. The test competitions have passed successfully, which was proved by positive feedback from many athletes, coaches, international federations’ representatives, IOC, IPC and spectators. We have efficiently overcome all the trials and can now say with confidence that we are ready to host the Games even in the most challenging conditions. The test events were organized by a large team, and I would like to thank everyone who took part in hosting them: Organizing Committee, Olympstroy, Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, administrations of the Krasnodar region and the city of Sochi, contractors and of course our numerous volunteers who have become an integral part of our united team.

It's a great honour to run with the torch and I was extremely proud to be a London2012 torchbearer. The torch relay made the Olympics very real for people, with spectators lining the streets up & down the country. We are ready to take this amazing atmosphere to Sochi2014.

On June 11, there will only be 1,000 days left before the Paralympic Games, and we shall start the countdown up to this historic event for Russia. This event is destined to bring about radicalchange in the attitude of Russian society towards people with disabilities. I am especially happy that our wonderful volunteers will give momentum to the celebration. They are the proof that, thanks to the Games, we have been training people qualified to support and assist the disabled.

I am certain that on June 11 thousands of Russians will join the festivities, since the basic values of Paralympic Movement, such as courage, equality, dedication and inspiration, are close to everyone’s heart!

Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee will be in operation up until 2014, but our task is to do all we can to change Russians’ attitudes to people with disabilities. A legacy usually means something that is left behind after an event. But we already have a legacy from the 2014 Paralympic Games. Russia is taking a huge step forward and the standards set in Sochi will be adopted all over the country.

“All Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games competitions will be broadcast by Russian TV channels. During Sochi 2014’s negotiations with federal TV stations, we will agree that they will fully cover the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games competitions”.

“How Sochi 2014 is seen and experienced will substantially depend on the people making it happen. It is therefore important to unite our efforts in encouraging volunteerism and working with volunteers, as this will be integral to the success of Russia’s first ever Winter Games”.

“The preparation and staging of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi is a strategic investment, which is one of the most secure forms of investment in the world today”.

“A partnership with the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee will provide unprecedented opportunities for our strategic partners and will help to realize their most ambitious plans and projects. We are not just choosing commercial partners – we are choosing allies”.