By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

April 8 - Alexander Zhukov (pictured), Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and the man tipped to be the next President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), has praised the impact that Sochi 2014 made during the Games in Vancouver.



Sochi 2014 had a high presence during the Olympics and Paralympics, including participating in the Closing Ceremonies of both Games.

Sochi World, meanwhile, the official home of the Russian delegation during the Olympics which was located at Science World in Vancouver, was one of the most popular visitor attractions of the Games.

Zhukov, who is head of the Sochi 2014 Supervisory Board, issued his report ahead of the next visit of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Coordination Commission to the Russian resort on the Black Sea, which starts next Tuesday (April 13).

He said: "The Supervisory Board acknowledges that the organising committee successfully implemented its duties during the 2010 Games, which included the 'Sochi 2014 Days in Vancouver' and Sochi World projects, as well as organising the Handover Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Flags to Sochi.

"These events successfully promoted the overseas image of Sochi as the host city of the next Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"Additionally, we carefully studied the practical results of Sochi 2014’s participation in the IOC’s Observer Programme, extended work-study in the Vancouver 2010 organising committee, as well as the work conducted by the Sochi 2014 Volunteer Team during the Paralympic Games.



"Particular attention was given to these programmes due to the understanding that the outcome of the staging of the Sochi 2014 Games will primarily depend on the professionalism and knowledge of the organising committee staff.

"The results that were evaluated today prove that the Sochi 2014 organising committee is right on track with the Games preparation schedule and is implementing the current tasks of training and preparing professionals as well as driving major projects for the preparation and promotion of the Games around the world.

"I am certain that the experience gained by Sochi 2014 in Vancouver will enable us to stage the most innovative Games."

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, welcomed Zhukov's words of praise.

He said: "We are setting a high bar for introducing new standards across all functions relating to Games preparation.

"The experience gained in Vancouver has already been integrated in the organizing committee’s operational plans.

"We were able to assess the current challenges that face organisers and integrate certain scenarios in our plans for the Sochi 2014 Games."

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