Russian President ensures readiness for the 2014 Olympics

Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi from 7 to 23 January 2014, and it means that there are slightly more than three years left. In the coming new year Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held at ski resort "Rosa Khutor" the first meeting on the preparation and conducting of this major event, and in particular managing of the objects that will remain after the Olympics.

Mr. Medvedev told the audience that the preparations for the Olympics have "actually entered the final phase". Russian President stressed that all parties involved had to overcome several difficulties, both financial and organizational measures for the realization of this "large-scale project". Up to 85% of the funds allocated for the preparation for the Olympics are spent on the creation of social, transport and energy facilities as well as on promoting of tourism in the region and solution of environmental problems.

There is no doubt that reputable organizing of the 2014 Olympics is a priority for the Russian authorities, but it is also understood that such huge investments should not only be used for solving one problem. Therefore, there is a question of the use of the whole infrastructure for the benefit of the region after the Games.

Mr. Medvedev has shared his views on this issue: "The most important thing that we always say is that we have to look at post Olympic future. The Olympics, of course, are very important. This is a great sports festival, a joy, but for us it is no less important that here in Sochi will leave a large number of new objects - objects for life and recreation. And this high bar that will be achieved at any price during the Olympics should be naturally preserved for the people who live in the Krasnodar region, for all who come here to rest".

The Russian President said that out of 14 sports facilities to be built in Sochi by 2014, 8 retain their status and purpose after the Olympics. According to him, all the sports facilities, depending on the intended future use are divided into three groups. The first group includes facilities that will continue to be used for its intended purpose. The total number of such objects is eight - six of them are located in the mountains (the venue for competitions in biathlon and other skiing disciplines, bobsleigh track, ski jumping hill, alpine ski center, park for snowboarders and freestyle center, and two - on the coast (Central Stadium and the Great Ice Hockey arena).

The second group consists of buildings during construction of which are used the latest technology and which can be dismantled and then re-assembled at the new location. For the Olympic Games will be constructed four such objects and then they will be used for major sporting events in other cities. For example, a small ice rink will be transported to Vladikavkaz, the platform for curling - in Rostov-on-Don, training hockey stadium - in Astrakhan, and training center for figure skaters - to Stavropol. Another two will remain in Sochi, but will be redeveloped for other purposes. Indoor skating rink will be turned into exhibition center, and the skating palace will be turned into a cycle track.

Anton Linden