Quotations

Staging the Olympic Games without volunteers would be unthinkable. I am pleased to see that a burning heart was chosen to symbolize the volunteer campaign. It represents the mood and spirit of those taking part in the movement. I am convinced that all large-scale events of this nature should include volunteers. In places with a long tradition of volunteering, people of all ages get actively involved. The last Olympics in Vancouver were a prime example. They comprised of large numbers of older people, including elderly pensioners, who were willing to help stage a public event, regardless of the scale of the project.      

The impetus which the Olympic Games has given to the Volunteer Movement in our country will be even more important than the Olympics itself for forming civil society and for Russia’s social and political development. There are already Volunteer Centres in 26 Russian regions and we believe they are extremely important.

“This year we will prepare all the Mountain Cluster venues for staging sports competitions. Next year starting from May and till September, all the arenas except for the Central Stadium must be completed. After that there will test events held of even higher level – these ones in the Mountain cluster for all the sports including ski jumping. We are definitely planning to accomplish all the above-said and we are confident that all of that will be completed on time. There haven’t been any critical suggestions concerning cost increase on projects invested in by private sponsors. Suggestions have been put forward on supplementary financing and support on behalf of the state, such as the subsidizing of interest rates on credit or acquiring shares in private companies’ charter capital. This is under consideration at present but there are no serious financial consequences for the state as far as these projects are concerned. It may be that for some of the most topical projects there will be decisions made on either fractional easing of interest rates upon them or their being subsidized out of the state budget funds. But these will be minimal, insignificant expenditures of taxpayers’ money”.

The Sochi Games have already become a model for other major Russian infrastructural projects and a sample for applying some most advanced practices in various regions of our country. The Government's mission is to make such major events attractive for business and investors and to maximize their legacy impact not only on this or that particular city or region but on the country at large.

The FIS have concluded that the European Cup will attain the highest grading level, for the preparation of the pistes itself, the way the work here was organized, and so on. The alpine pistes had acquired international certification and were of a sufficient calibre for any level of sporting competition.

“Our aim is to raise the bar of the Games in Sochi and contribute to the Olympic movement development. Fundamental new engineering and road works are already noticeable in the city; Sochi is becoming a centre, where green standards have been introduced and new environmental conventions have been adopted."

"Sochi 2014 is currently one of the largest complex ongoing investment projects in the world. Over 800 separate venue construction projects are being delivered simultaneously in time for 2014. The successful completion of these developments will create over 50 new enterprises and 43,000 new jobs".

"By the end of the year the venues that are currently under construction in Sochi will have tripled to 144 venues, with the design of a further 177 venues also completed. The project will be delivered on time and to the highest possible standard”.

The success of Sochi2014.ru World Russky Dom has exceeded our expectations. The scores of people who come here each day is proof of this. Sochi World is working very effectively and has already become its own attraction site in Vancouver. It has brought attention to the Sochi 2014 Games, to Russia and presented the culture of our country.

“Russia House has welcomed more than 75,000 guests; the interest has been great. We are looking to meet the expectations of thousands of people. Our work with the IOC and the Organizing Committee will turn into an unforgettable and bright Games in Sochi as a result.”