Sochi and Kazan to play a key role in sport and physical culture development in Russia

Speaking during a session of the Presidential Council for Physical Culture and Sports, chaired by President Medvedev, Mr. Chernyshenko suggested that Sochi 2014 will be characterized by a celebratory atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, and world-class levels of professionalism and service.

The Presidential Council session was attended by representatives of every Games-relevant Russian government ministry and several other organizations involved in preparations for Sochi 2014, the 2013 World Summer Universiade in Kazan and the training of Russia’s athletes. Key areas of discussion at the session included the construction of Olympic venues and related infrastructure, transport logistics and legal issues, Around the Rings (The Business of the Olympics) reported.

Mr. Medvedev also reemphasized that Sochi 2014 and Kazan Universiade will play a central role in the modernization of sport and physical culture in Russia, in particular among young people. The President also praised the foundation of the Russian International Olympic University in Sochi – this institution will train professionals in the discipline of sport event management.

Mr. Chernyshenko explained that around 75,000 volunteers are likely to be deployed before and during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, with 25,000 of these directly for Games organization and the other 50,000 deployed across the city and region. Sochi 2014 is currently engaged in a program to attract and select motivated volunteers in conjunction with government and other Winter Games stakeholders. The best volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in a ‘Sochi-Vancouver-Sochi relay’ and gain direct experience at Vancouver 2010, before becoming volunteer leaders in Russia ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.