The relay will last 123 days and pass through 130 cities in all 83 of Russia’s regions. The route is more than 65,000 kilometres long. Fourteen thousand torchbearers and around 30,000 volunteers will take part in the relay, which will end on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, where the opening ceremony of the XXII Winter Olympics will take place.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the readiness of sports facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

Vladimir Putin took part in ceremonies marking the official opening of the Russian International Olympic University’s campus in Sochi.

While on a working trip to the Southern Federal District, Vladimir Putin will visit the Russian International Olympic University on September 16 and meet with the students and staff.

Vladimir Putin met with International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Joseph Blatter.

Vladimir Putin congratulated Thomas Bach on his election to the post of International Olympic Committee President.

Vladimir Putin sent greetings to participants in the Presidential Athletic Games national school athletic competition.

Vladimir Putin made a short stop in Krasnoyarsk on his way from Vladivostok to Kurgan, and had a working meeting with Governor of Krasnoyarsk Territory Lev Kuznetsov.

Vladimir Putin visited Ocean national children’s centre, as well as a hockey and sports complex under construction, and the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Mr Kuyvashev briefed Vladimir Putin on the situation in the region’s industrial sectors and on the social sector development.

Vladimir Putin attended the International Professional Combat Sambo Tournament.

Vladimir Putin met with staff and players of HC Dynamo, which has won its second straight Gagarin Cup.

Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony of the XIV IAAF World Athletics Championship in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to athletes and sports and fitness professionals and enthusiasts on Sports and Fitness Day.

The XIV World Championship in Athletics will take place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Stadium on August 10–18.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to Federal Law On Physical Culture and Sports in the Russian Federation and Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation to Prevent Unlawful Influence on the Results of Official Athletic Competitions.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation to Ensure Public Order and Public Safety at Official Sporting Events.

Vladimir Putin met with Russian athletes who won prizes in the 27th World Summer Universiade. The meeting took place at the Novogorsk training centre.

The President will meet with Russian athletes and organisers of the 27^th World Summer Universiade and congratulate the games’ medallists at the Novogorsk training centre on July 19.

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov took part in a meeting of the VTB United League Council and attended the competitions underway at the 27th World Summer Universiade.