Toast of Sochi -- Praise for Olympic Warmth; Japan House

Leading figures from the Olympic Movement tell Around the Rings they are enjoying Russia’s hospitality and are excited about the Sochi Games.

ATR canvassed the opinions of IOC members and dignitaries attending the IOC Session this week. The opening ceremony was a relaxed affair with guests tucking into canapés and traditional Russian food.

President of the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda, enjoying evening’s entertainment and dining with his wife, was quick to pay tribute to Russia’s Olympic organizers.

"I know at the beginning they had nothing here in Sochi. It’s impressive everything they have done, and I am very happy that now we start the Olympic Games. I am convinced they will be a great success."

UN special adviser on sport Wilfried Lemke had a smooth journey to Sochi Olympic Park, where ATR spoke to him on the fringes of the IOC Session.

"I am very much excited to come here. I saw a lot of people smiling at the airport. Everything is perfectly organized. I don't think I have ever waited such a short time to arrive in my room. There was no big control and it was a warm and wonderful welcome they gave me and all the people who were on my plane."

IOC member in Guatemala Willi Kaltschmitt said he was "very excited" about seeing the new venues for the Games.

"It’s very low-profile security. I haven’t seen anything out of this world."

He described the Russian hospitality, the food, and hotel he’s staying in as "very good".

"I’m surprised to see how people are … really it is shocking to me to see how nice the people are. They are well-organized and ready to serve you. For us, this is very good," he added.

Swiss IOC member Denis Oswald said he had a "very good impression" of Sochi after arriving the other day, adding that he was "very much" enjoying the Russian hospitality.

"People are friendly. It’s good."

Having been a member of the IOC coordination commission for Sochi, monitoring preparations since the bid, Swedish IOC member Gunilla Lindberg said it is great to have seen "everything growing up like mushrooms."

They have been working hard, she added, about facilities for guests and making athletes welcome at the Olympic Village. She described "very good conditions for the athletes," with accommodations and services very close to the competition venues.

Japan House Opens

Japan House led the field of national hospitality houses with its opening on Wednesday.

The private facility will serve as headquarters for the Japanese Olympic Committee, where they can welcome guests who include members of the IOC, international sport federations, and other Olympic committees. Press conferences with Japanese medalists will be among highlights of its events.

A public section is devoted to Tokyo 2020, where visitors can commemorate their time in Sochi with photos in front of a Manga Wall.

"We are expecting that those who take memorial pictures in front of the wall will share such fun picture images through their Facebook (and) Twitter accounts," spokesman Masa Takaya tells Around the Rings. "Tokyo 2020 is hoping that people start thinking of the 2020 Games even six years ahead of the opening as we are passionate about welcoming the world in 2020."

Written by ATR staff in Sochi.

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