Sochi 2014 Reports on Winter Games Progress

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The President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, has advised the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, that Sochi 2014's cutting-edge volunteer, education and Home City programs will become internationally-renowned features of Russia's first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, has advised the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, that Sochi 2014's cutting-edge volunteer, education and 'Home City' programs will become internationally-renowned features of Russia's first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Speaking during a session of the Presidential Council for Physical Culture, Sports and Preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, 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; legal issues; energy provision; security; environmental initiatives; and the legacy of Sochi 2014.

During the meeting, Dmitry Medvedev announced that the Krasnodar Region and the City of Sochi Administration would open a hotline that answers resident's questions on all aspects of land acquisition for the construction of Olympic venues - the President highlighted that it was necessary to take an individual approach to this process.

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.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 President and CEO, said:

"The session has allowed us to discuss some of the many elements of Sochi 2014 that will make it a memorable Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and bring an incredible legacy to Russia and the Olympic Movement. Sochi 2014 is a priority project for the Government of Russia, and the parties represented at this session indicate the levels of the support and expertise we are able to draw on as we move towards welcoming the world to Sochi in 2014."

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. The lucky program participants will be announced in April 2009 following a competition open to entrants nationwide - just one example of how Sochi 2014 is giving all of Russia the chance to be involved in the country's first Winter Games.

The sporting, environmental and social legacy of the 2014 Winter Games will also be felt far beyond Sochi and the Krasnodar region, driven by initiatives such as Sochi 2014's 'projected impact analysis'. This is being overseen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and consists of 111 economic, socio-cultural and ecological indicators including the development of new service standards, green standards in construction, and "Home City" events which could be implemented in any other city in Russia.

Sochi 2014 is also working closely with schools, colleges and universities, where the workforce for the Games and related-industries will be largely sourced from. The Organizing Committee is currently focused on harnessing the right blend of professional skills and expertise for areas ranging from technical requirements for around 30 identified work areas around Sochi 2014, to cultural awareness and interpersonal competencies, and, in particular, fluency in international languages such as English. All education plans are being developed to the highest international standards.