Russia’s Strong Passion for Sport on Display at Sochi 2014 Celebration of Olympic Day in Sochi, Russia
Sochi, Russia, June 24, 2007 – Sochi residents and visitors alike, turned out yesterday to show their full support for Russia’s bid to host the Games at Sochi’s all-day celebration of sports and the Olympic spirit, in recognition of Olympic Day in Russia, a nation with a strong passion for sports and Olympic ideals, and around the world.
Thousands attended Sochi’s city-wide Olympic Day celebration themed Sochi, Land of Sport, which featured a variety of exciting sports activities, attended by former World champions such as Sochi-born World Champion Alexey Voevoda, including master classes with past Sochi-resident and tennis star Maria Sharapova’s former tennis coaches, extreme sports activities, family sports contests and live entertainment, and was highlighted by the groundbreaking ceremony for the Grand Ice Hockey Arena, a brand new state-of-the-art indoor winter sports complex.
Sochi 2014 Bid CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko commented:
Sochi’s bid to host the Games embodies Russia’s sports passion and Olympic Spirit, and we are pleased to join the Sochi community, students, Russian athletes and all visitors, in the worldwide celebration of the Olympic Spirit less than two weeks ahead of the IOC decision in Guatemala City. The bid is bolstered by the outpouring of public support during the Olympic Day celebration, which demonstrates Russia’s unity in our drive to bring the Winter Games to Russia for the first time ever.
Russia has a long-standing tradition in winter-sports excellence and belief in the Olympic ideals. Sochi 2014, backed by overwhelming support at all levels, is committed to hosting an unforgettable celebration of the Olympic Spirit at the Games in 2014, as a strong partner of the international sport movement.
Russia’s love of sports was on full display yesterday throughout the events on Olympic Day, including “Swimmer’s Day”, which featured a professional 2014 meter competition, marking Sochi’s bid to host the Games, competitions for both professional and amateur swimmers, and entertaining contests, as well as the 21st annual Olympic Day Run, which has unified the world in celebration of the Olympic ideals, for the last twenty years.