Sochi 2014 was inaugurated into the World Union of Olympic Cities at a ceremony held in Moscow. The event was hosted in partnership with the Swiss Canton of Vaud between September 14 and 16.
Prominent members of the Russian and Swiss governments participated in the event as well as senior members within the Olympic Movement, including Gilbert Felli, IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games, Walter Giger, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Russian Federation, and Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 President and CEO.
Felli said, “it’s very important to the IOC that Olympic host cities receive a sustainable boost in development terms and also that the Games leave a noticeable legacy. Russia is a great country and I can confirm that all promises given by the Sochi 2014 organizers at the bid stage continue to be kept”.
Chernyshenko said, “taking our place alongside fellow Olympic cities is a real honour for the city of Sochi and the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee. In the two years since Sochi won the right to host Russia’s first Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Sochi has already seen significant transformation which will accelerate over the next few years. Ultimately, hosting the Winter Games will leave a major Olympic legacy for the people of Sochi and Russia, and being part of the UMVO will help us to share ideas to enhance that legacy and help pass on best practice to future hosts”.
