Sochi 2014 Offers Games Vision to the Olympic Family

The Sochi 2014 Bid leaders outlined their vision for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games during their presentation to the 23rd Seminar for Secretaries General of Africa NOCs today in Malawi, stressing their plans for an all-inclusive, transformational Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Bid CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko's well received address highlighted SochiR17's commitment to bringing the experience of Winter Games to the countries that have not been traditionally involved in winter sport.  The Bid team has offered its support in the development of winter sport among the African athletes to ensure that nations from this and other continents can compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Chernyshenko also underscored the legacy the Games in Sochi would leave for the development of sport in Russia and in the entire region.  The Winter Games would create the country's first-ever world-class winter sport centre, which would serve millions of athletes and winter sport enthusiasts from Russia and around the world.

The Bid leaders emphasized that the Sochi 2014 Winter Games would leave a lasting social legacy for Russia, setting the new standards for inclusion of people with disabilities.  Sochi 2014 is committed to hosting fully-accessible Games that would serve as a new benchmark in sport, social and urban development.

Mr. Chernyshenko said:

"We are honoured to have had the opportunity to present the plan for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to the leaders of African NOCs.  We value their feedback and will use it to develop the best possible Candidature File, fully addressing the needs of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and ensuring maximum inclusion of athletes from all backgrounds.

"As a key part of the Sochi bid's inclusiveness, we intend to find ways to help more nations experience the magic of the Winter Games.  The lack of winter climate should not preclude any nation with a love of sport from participating in one of the most exciting and inspirational sports events, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  As a nation of 143 million winter sport enthusiasts, we are ready to work with the Sports Federations and NOCs of the African countries to support the athletes who have an interest in participating in winter sports." sochi2014.com/