The Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov is in the Black Sea city of Sochi to meet the representatives of the International Olympic Committee. Zubkov will give a presentation on the city`s progress in preparing for the 2014 Winter games.
Sochi has long enjoyed the status as a favourite holiday spot among Russians, visited by millions every summer since Soviet times. It is hoped that the Games will raise the international profile of the resort.
Russia has never hosted the Olympics as an independent country before. The closest it came was during the Communist era, when Moscow held the Summer Games in 1980.
But the country`s strong track record in winter sports makes it a natural to host the games.
Private participation
Following the triumph in Guatemala, the city of Sochi has kicked off a new working stage to prepare for the Games. The government has pledged US$ 12 billion to transform Sochi and the surrounding area with private companies footing some of the bill.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he wanted to co-operate closely with private investors, including foreign ones.
"When choosing contractors, no difference should be made according to so-called national characteristics. Cost and quality are the key factors here," Putin said.
The project includes eleven up-to-date Olympic facilities, highways, hotels and hospitals. Russia thinks seven years is enough time to realize the plans.
Winter sports boost
The main focus of the building effort will be the ski resort of Krasnaya Polyana, which is to be connected to Sochi by a subway line.
But the government says all this funding is not only for the Olympics, but also for the region?s inhabitants. They want to turn the Black Sea resort into a world-class sporting venue.
The country still doesn`t have mountain sports facilities and Sochi?s victory will help to construct them, boosting winter sports in Russia.
sections: Sport, Region News
regions: Southern region |
Russian News
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