Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President Vladimir Putin: Mr President,

Allow me to wish you a warm welcome to Moscow. As you know, our country is a sport-loving country and we have great respect for the Olympic movement. You are doing a great deal to develop the Olympic movement and defend its ideals. Russia’s capital, Moscow, is a city you already know, I think. I am referring to 2001 here.

We are pleased to welcome you to Russia and we are pleased with the good level of ongoing contact that we have with the International Olympic Committee.

Jacques Rogge: Mr President,

Thank you for your warm hospitality. Indeed, Moscow holds a special place in my heart because it was here that I was elected to the post of President of the International Olympic Committee in 2001. I would like to thank you for the support that the Russian Federation gives the IOC.

Russia has very strong sporting traditions. Your athletes won more than 90 medals at the Athens Olympics and more than 20 at the Turin Olympics. This also goes for such major and important sports as track and field and swimming, in which you also have marvellous achievements. We are also grateful for the fact that your country has put forward the city of Sochi as a candidate to host the Olympic Games.

Vladimir Putin: I think we will talk about this in more detail today.