"If Sochi wins, we will cope with the task – I am sure of this," Vladimir Putin promised to Olympic officials.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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Putin Takes to the Slope to Boost Sochi’s Bid
Russian President Vladimir Putin met the Olympic evaluation commission on Tuesday and tried to show that Sochi is the only one able and worthy to host the 2014 Winter Games.
Members of the International Olympic Committee’s evaluation commission were greeted at the new terminal of the city airport where refurbishing still goes on. Among those who came to Sochi to support its Olympic bid was Austrian Karl Schranz, an Olympic medalist.
A new cable railway line was opened at the suburban Krasnaya Polyana ski resort on Tuesday timed to the visit of Olympic officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin took to the slopes to make his run down Psekhalo Ridge, the proposed venue for the biathlon and cross-country events. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov did not joint the president – Zhukov is a well-known snowboard fan.
Later that day, Russia’s top officials gathered to present Sochi’s bid for the 2014 Olympics. Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref, who made the presentation, said Russia would spend $12 billon for the Olympic Games.
“If Sochi wins, we will cope with the task – I am sure of this,” Vladimir Putin told the Olympic officials.
Salzburg, Austria, and Pyeongchang, South Korea, are also competing to host the Olympics.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Feb. 21, 2007
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