Official website of the President of Russia

Документ   /

“When I came here, I couldn’t recognise the place. I had a feeling that I am in Switzerland or in Austria, or somewhere in Central Europe, the Alpine republics. It was really good. And it is good. And I spoke to many international dignitaries, sportsmen, experts, and they all told me yesterday and today that the mountain cluster is just fine and it’s one of the best they’ve ever seen,” Sergei Ivanov said.

According to the Chief of Staff, before the Olympics in Sochi started, a huge campaign has been launched in the media to bring down Russia's efforts to prepare the city of Sochi to host the Olympics.

“I think it’s part of propaganda. That’s it. You have to live with it. You have to stay calm, you have to stay cool, and you have to go on this long and winding road regardless of what some critics say. Then you will succeed. And I think we did,” Mr Ivanov said.

The Chief of Staff believes that it's too early to make any conclusions about the results of the Olympics.

“Let's hope that the Russian athletes will win a few more golds next week. Including in ice hockey,” he said.

Answering the journalist’s question about the future of the Olympic facilities in Sochi, Sergei Ivanov noted that the mountain cluster “will become a high-level winter resort with people coming both for alpine skiing or sunbathing. Things are a bit more complicated with the coastal cluster. Starting this autumn, we'll be holding here a stage of the Formula One. The Ice Dome will host various events including ice shows, concerts and things like. Sports complexes are often used for this.”