Sochi 2014 Ahead of Schedule and Within Budget; 2014 Winter Games Hosts Update World's Olympic Committees on Early Progress

Beijing, China, 9 April 2008 – Sochi 2014, Russia's first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is ahead of schedule and within budget, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Sochi 2014 Supervisory Board confirmed today. Zhukov confirmed that Sochi 2014 has made considerable progress since being appointed Host City, with all Games delivery infrastructure now in place.

Zhukov was speaking at the 16th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Beijing, China, alongside the Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko. They were providing Sochi 2014's first official update to the Olympic Family since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) historically awarded the 2014 Winter Games to the Black Sea city of Sochi.

During the address, Chernyshenko reaffirmed to the National Olympic Committee chiefs that the 2014 Winter Games will be ready on time, with test events organised at least two years in advance. He also explained how the Sochi 2014 Games concept is unique in its simplicity; providing the entire Olympic Family with purpose-built 21st century facilities that form a unique and compact plan. Thirteen brand new winter sport venues will be built in two clusters, less than 40 minutes apart.

Dmitry Chernyshenko said:

"For the first time in Winter Games history, we are creating an Olympic Park that will contain the main Olympic Stadium, Medals Plaza, Olympic Village, main Media Centre, the Olympic Family Hotels, and all five ice competition venues. And only 40 minutes away, in Krasnaya Polyana, we have created a unique mountain venue cluster featuring some of the world’s most sophisticated and modern winter sports facilities."

Chernyshenko also outlined a series of commitments to the Olympic Family that Sochi 2014 had made during its Games bid:

"As we promised, the Olympic villages will comprise 4-star hotel accommodation with stunning views and comfortable living conditions for athletes. Moreover, we are carefully studying the experience of recent Organising Committees in order to better understand the needs of the Olympic Family. More importantly though, we will also be discussing with you how to ensure that your delegations can be accommodated to maximise your comfort and athletic performance."

The Assembly also heard that Sochi 2014 will be running an open and transparent procurement policy in accordance with IOC guidelines, as well as being compliant with international best practices.

"Sochi 2014 is looking to work with the finest and most innovative suppliers in the sports world on approximately 300 tender opportunities between now and the Games, with thousands of additional tenders beneath these. We want to see new ideas put into action, especially in the area of sustainability, environmental protection and information technology, and will strive for best practice in all cases," Chernyshenko said.

Progress outlined by Zhukov and Chernyshenko included:

* The Sochi 2014 Olympic Organising Committee was officially registered on 16 October 2007 - in accordance with the Olympic Charter, its founders are the Russian Olympic Committee, the City of Sochi and the Russian Federation
* The Olympic and Paralympic Law has taken effect in Russia
* IOC intellectual property including, but not limited to, the IOC symbols, emblems and designations, is now fully and strongly protected
* The Games delivery structure is now officially in place. It has three main components: the Presidential Council at the top; the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee; and the State Corporation 'Olympstroy' responsible for major infrastructure projects
* The process of Foundation Planning is well advanced to ensure all aspects of the Games are based on detailed plans
* A strong team of Russian and international experts capable of delivering these plans is being assembled
* An excellent working relationship with the IOC and IPC has been established
* An orientation seminar has been held with the IPC with the express purpose of ensuring all Paralympic requirements are integrated into plans at an early stage
* The Programme for Construction of the Olympic and Paralympic Venues and the Development of Sochi as a Year-Round Mountain Resort was approved in January 2008 - replacing the existing Federal Target Programme for the Development of Sochi
* The construction of venues has started: the Psekhako Ridge resort, which will host the Biathlon, Nordic Combined and Cross-Country alpine events is already complete and work on the Rosa Khutor and Carousel resorts is well underway, which will host the alpine Skiing and Snowboard disciplines in 2014
* The construction of all other sports venues and facilities will commence in 2008 and 2009, with a timeline for completion at least two years prior to the start of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games
* Designs for the majority of these venues are in the process of being finalised, to ensure they entirely reflect the needs of the Olympic Family
* Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources is working on a comprehensive strategy to enhance, not just protect the macro-environment in the region around Sochi, while forging strong working relationships with UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
* Entry to the Russian Federation for the Olympic Family and members of any third party owned and/or controlled by the IOC is allowed on the basis of the Olympic identity card and accreditation for the Games. No visa is required

During ANOC (7-10 April), Sochi 2014 is meeting to discuss best practice with as many Olympic stakeholders as possible, to ensure Sochi 2014 fulfils its promise to be the Winter Games most attuned to the needs of the Olympic Family.