Sochi 2014 officials, along with Dmitry Kozak, newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, made their first visit to London Thursday for a series of invaluable knowledge- sharing meetings with London 2012, said a Sochi 2014 press release.
The Deputy Prime Minister was joined by Igor Levitin, Minister of Transport, Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014, Alexander Tkachev, Governor of Krasnodar Region, Victor Kolodyazhny, President of State Corporation Olympstroy, and Sochi’s Deputy Mayor Dzhambulat Khatuov.
In London the delegation met with Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell, Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of London 2012 and David Higgins, Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
Sochi representatives were given a guided tour of the Olympic Park, including visits to future Olympic venues; and examined the development of essential infrastructure that will support the London 2012 Games.
Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation said, “Sochi 2014 is a major priority for the Russian Government. Since being appointed to my current role with oversight responsibility of Russia’s first Winter Games it has been very useful to discuss Games delivery with members of the worldwide Olympic Family. Today’s meetings with London 2012 stakeholders have provided insights for the benefit of all concerned and the Olympic Movement”.
Dmitry Chernyshenko said of the meetings, “it is of vital importance to the Olympic Movement that organizing committee’s regularly update each other on their progress and latest knowledge. This allows each of us to develop best practice policies that can be used by Games organizers now and in the future.
“As a manager tasked with organizing Russia’s first Winter Games it is incredibly useful to discuss and share insights with my counterparts for the London 2012 and Vancouver 2010 Games that have already gone through the stage we are at today”.
