240 torchbearers carried the Olympic flame along the main streets of the capital of the Altai region, Barnaul. Their route passed through the distance of 45.2 km. Among the Olympic torchbearers were nominees of the Sochi 2014 Torch Relay Presenting Partners: the Coca-Cola Company, OSAO "Ingosstrakh" and OAO "Russian Railways".
A ceremonial greeting awaited the specialized train No. 701 of the Olympic Torch Relay, arriving at the Barnaul railway station. The first torchbearer in the capital of the Altai region was Sergey Shubenkov, a country record holder, European track and field champion and participant in the Olympic Games. He shared his impressions: "I was really nervous, as if I was going to have to run at least at the European championship, or even at the Olympic Games themselves!"
Sergey Shubenkov gave the start to the Olympic Torch Relay, which began its path along a route that resembled a symbolic heart. The honor of carrying the Olympic flame, which was the main participant in the unique event, was awarded to Barnaul citizens - famous athletes performing at world competitions for the honor of the Russian Federation. The torchbearers for the day were Darya Tsvetkova - a world record-holder, Russian champion, and winner of the world and European championships in swimming, Nikolay Ilyuchenko - four-time Paralympic Games skiing champion, and gymnast Sergey Khorokhordin.
Several phases of the Sochi 2014 Torch Relay took place on the grounds of the sports school named for A. Smertin. One after another, passing along the Olympic Flame, torchbearers Vladimir Shtrak, Kristina Anosova, Evgeniya Razomassova and Elena Shalina ran through the stadium. At that moment, performance groups, and even many spectators, encouraged the torchbearers with dance and musical numbers. They met the next torchbearer - Russian soccer player Alexey Smertin, captain of Russia's soccer team, who completed his sports career in 2009.
Then the Olympic flame made a short stop by the dealership of Volkswagen, a Supporting Partner of the Torch Relay, and the Relay continued in the picturesque surroundings of Barnaul. The torchbearers ran along the Barnaul Ribbon Forest - a pine forest rare in beauty extending along the Barnaulka River. Wooden steles installed especially for the Olympic Torch Relay became an eye-catching backdrop for the Olympic procession. The colorful columns depict five winter sports actively being developed in the region - Alpine skiing, snowboarding, hockey, speedskating and the biathlon.
The Sochi 2014 Torch Relay visited the Alpine slope "Avalman". Torchbearer Alexander Kalenkin descended the slope on skis with the Torch in hand, and he passed the Olympic flame to skier Mikhail Khavronov, who completed the descent. Athlete and coach Sergey Kizilov delivered the Flame back to the peak, covering his distance on a snow groomer.
On one of the main city streets, the Olympic Torch Relay made a stop by the local office of OSAO "Ingosstrakh", a Presenting Partner.
On the central square of Barnaul more than 30,000 people greeted the Olympic flame. There were approximately 122,000 residents of the Altai region as spectators of the Sochi 2014 Torch Relay on the city route. The Olympic procession through Barnaul was concluded by athlete Vitaliy Denisov, participant in the XIX Olympic Games in Salt Lake City for Alpine skiing. From his Torch, he lit the City Cauldron, which will remain as a token to the city from Torch Relay Presenting Partner OSAO "Ingosstrakh" as the main symbol of such a unique event.
The next city to receive the Olympic Torch Relay is Novosibirsk.
For more information contact: Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay Communications Service
sochi2014.com | OGON@sochi2014.com | +7 495 984 2014
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