Sochi 2014 announced progress for the 2014 Games at the first meeting of the newly structured Inter-Ministerial Commission for preparation and delivery of the Sochi 2014 Games.
The Commission, headed by Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Minister of Russia, forms part of the Presidential Council of the Russian Federation for Physical Culture, Sport and Preparations for the 2014 Games. The Commission was formed to guarantee collaboration between all the stakeholders involved in Sochi 2014’s preparations and provide the latest information about the Games.
At the first meeting there were discussions on major developments in construction, and an announcement of four new private investors.
Kozak said at the meeting, “we have undergone a process of reviewing construction costs for the development of Olympic infrastructure to ensure maximum cost efficiencies while maintaining the highest possible standards in every aspect of Games delivery”. He said that following a review the budget for Olympic related construction will be 195 billion Rubles, of which 102 billion Rubles will be funded by the Federal Government and 93 billion from the private sector. It will ensure that facilities are completed within budget and will meet international ecological standards.
Taymuraz Bolloev, President of Olimpstroy said, “despite the current economic downturn, investors continue to show strong interest in Olympic construction. Over the last two months four new companies signed up to become construction partners. These companies will invest in three competition venues and an energy facility that were initially planned to be funded by the Russian Federal Budget”.
Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014 talked about Sochi 2014’s legacy. He said, “another major legacy of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games for Russia – a country home to more than 10 million people with disability – will be new standards of urban planning that will improve accessibility during and after the Games. Moreover, the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi will improve attitudes in Russian society towards people with disabilities”.
