Sochi's Olympic concept gets "very good" mark 04-06-07 08:34
Olympic bid inspectors say Sochi's concept for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games is "very good". Their report, following a visit to the city, also praised the Russian city's transport plans, security, and financial backing.
Despite rival bidders Salzburg and Pyeongchang receiving an "excellent" rating for their concepts, Russia's bid committee says it is pleased.
"This report reflects the full understanding of all the key advantages of our bid by the Evaluation Commission and International Olympic Committee," Dmitry Chernyshenko, General Director of the Sochi Bid Committee, pointed out. "First of all, it is a technically excellent plan, that enjoys full governmental, President's support, and also public opinion support. The most important thing that there will remain the historical legacy for Sochi, for all Russia and for the entire Olympic movement".
All three candidate cities have gone through months of hard work, planning, and hoping for the best. They await the final vote on July 4.
It is nearly a year since the International Olympic Committee announced its shortlist and now it's just the final strait to go.
For each of the three cities it has been a year of highs and lows, achievements and setbacks, but most of all of intense anticipation.
The race is tense an accusation from the Salzburg committee a few days ago that Russia had violated governing body rules by making adverse comments about the Austrian bid a sign of nerves running high.
Salzburg is selling its experience as a winter sports venue and Olympic bidder. This is its second attempt. It prides itself on the close proximity of all its venues. However, it was recently sanctioned by the IOC for failing to prevent doping during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics - an unwelcome sting in the tail of its campaign.
Pyongchang is also running for the second time and cultivating its image as the winter sports hub of Asia. Its bid is backed jointly by north and South Korea - making it symbolic of peace and harmony in a divided country although two of its committee members were recently convicted of corruption charges, cutting short their lobbying potential.
Sochi is the only one of the three to bid for the first time meaning the pace of the city's redevelopment has skyrocketed. Support for the bid is tireless.
25 years of economic development have been packed into the last 12 months with a new airport terminal and runway, new ski-pistes at the city's sporting centerpiece, Krasnaya Polyana, a new Olympic village, and a major overhaul of the city's infrastructure accounting for half of the budget of $US 12 MLN.
Blackouts in February dampened spirits but a new electric substation recently opened restored confidence.
Sochi's fragile ecology is another cause for concern with environmental activists criticizing initial plans.
Russia's Environmental Ministry has set up a council to monitor the impact of development.
Despite such damage control efforts, for each country bidding, the closer it gets to the decision, the more there is to lose.
The cities stand to benefit from redevelopment whatever happens, but for disappointment there is no such insurance policy.
Despite rival bidders Salzburg and Pyeongchang receiving an "excellent" rating for their concepts, Russia's bid committee says it is pleased.
"This report reflects the full understanding of all the key advantages of our bid by the Evaluation Commission and International Olympic Committee," Dmitry Chernyshenko, General Director of the Sochi Bid Committee, pointed out. "First of all, it is a technically excellent plan, that enjoys full governmental, President's support, and also public opinion support. The most important thing that there will remain the historical legacy for Sochi, for all Russia and for the entire Olympic movement".
All three candidate cities have gone through months of hard work, planning, and hoping for the best. They await the final vote on July 4.
It is nearly a year since the International Olympic Committee announced its shortlist and now it's just the final strait to go.
For each of the three cities it has been a year of highs and lows, achievements and setbacks, but most of all of intense anticipation.
The race is tense an accusation from the Salzburg committee a few days ago that Russia had violated governing body rules by making adverse comments about the Austrian bid a sign of nerves running high.
Salzburg is selling its experience as a winter sports venue and Olympic bidder. This is its second attempt. It prides itself on the close proximity of all its venues. However, it was recently sanctioned by the IOC for failing to prevent doping during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics - an unwelcome sting in the tail of its campaign.
Pyongchang is also running for the second time and cultivating its image as the winter sports hub of Asia. Its bid is backed jointly by north and South Korea - making it symbolic of peace and harmony in a divided country although two of its committee members were recently convicted of corruption charges, cutting short their lobbying potential.
Sochi is the only one of the three to bid for the first time meaning the pace of the city's redevelopment has skyrocketed. Support for the bid is tireless.
25 years of economic development have been packed into the last 12 months with a new airport terminal and runway, new ski-pistes at the city's sporting centerpiece, Krasnaya Polyana, a new Olympic village, and a major overhaul of the city's infrastructure accounting for half of the budget of $US 12 MLN.
Blackouts in February dampened spirits but a new electric substation recently opened restored confidence.
Sochi's fragile ecology is another cause for concern with environmental activists criticizing initial plans.
Russia's Environmental Ministry has set up a council to monitor the impact of development.
Despite such damage control efforts, for each country bidding, the closer it gets to the decision, the more there is to lose.
The cities stand to benefit from redevelopment whatever happens, but for disappointment there is no such insurance policy.
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