IOC project review: Sochi progressing towards successful Games

May 26, 2011, Sochi, Russia – The first International Olympic Committee (IOC) Project Review of 2011 has come to an end in Sochi. Meetings and presentations around the key areas of Games organization were held within the framework of this visit. During these meetings the IOC delegation underlined the achievements of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee in Games planning and the creation of the Games management team, observing that «Sochi is making good progress towards hosting successful Games».

Jean-Claude Killy, Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for Sochi 2014, Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director, Dmitry Kozak, RF Vice-Premier, and Dmitry Chernyshenko, President of the Organizing Committee "Sochi 2014", participated in the visit.

The IOC representatives listened to reports covering all the key areas of the Organizing Committee’s activities, i.e. workforce recruitment and training, competition and non-competition venue construction, specific aspects of Olympic Park operations, athletes’ and stakeholder accommodation, the Games transport model, and many other subjects all of which will leave the athletes and the Games-time visitors with a positive impression of this unique festival of sports.

The IOC delegation also noted the Organizing Committee’s achievements in building the Games management team, which includes the involvement of both national and international experts. The significant progress of the Organizing Committee was emphasized by the IOC, and they were particularly impressed with the good level of pre-Games operational planning, which is allowing the Olympic project to be developed to the highest standards.

During the meeting, the environment and sustainability was also examined. The IOC heard updates on how Sochi 2014 is approaching different environmental issues and how the work was being undertaken. The Sochi Games will no doubt leave a positive legacy to Russia in this domain, with some initiatives being undertaken in the country for the first time.

Chairman of IOC Coordination Commission Jean-Claude Killy said:

"Once again, we’ve seen great progress during our visit to Sochi. The operational planning for the Games is reaching a new level of detail and we can see that the experienced team in front of us has truly understood the needs and demands of running an Olympic Games at the highest level. Sochi 2014 is starting to bring its Games vision to life and we can feel in the city that Olympic fever is really growing."

The IOC team also admired Russia’s efficiency in organizing the "1,000 days to go" event. This celebration across the country united millions of people participating in ecological, educational, cultural and sporting events entitled "1,000 good deeds marathon". The events were held in 55 Russian cities by 26 Volunteer centers and 18 "Sochi 2014" partner companies. Gilbert Felli, Olympic Games Executive Director, said:

"Congratulations to Sochi 2014 for the numerous 1000 days to go initiatives. It was fantastic to see the whole of Russia get involved! I congratulate them for all of the work that has been done in preparation for the Games and the work to promote the Olympic movement."

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President of the Organizing Committee "Sochi 2014", summed up:

"Sochi today is the biggest construction site in Europe but "Sochi 2014" is much more than a construction project. It is an event that is inspiring millions of Russians and is uniting the nation. The scores of events that were held on May 14 all over the country, within the framework of "1,000 days to go", proved that to us all. We still have a lot of challenges ahead of us; but I am convinced that the advice and assistance of IOC colleagues will help us to overcome these challenges".

For more information, contact:Xenia Reizhevskaya, Sochi 2014 Head of Press Office, +7 925 999 2551

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