Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Dear friends, my greetings to you all.

Today is a special day for Sochi. Today, two flags will be unfurled over our Olympic city – the Olympic and Paralympic flags. Today marks the start of the four-year period over which this city we all love will be the capital of the Olympics.

We still have much to do, but I am confident that we can show the world, and prove to ourselves, above all, that the choice made in Guatemala in 2007 was indeed the right choice.

It is our chance to show our country’s strength and power, our winning spirit, our ability to offer excellent conditions for the Olympics, our people’s hospitality, our love of sports, and our determination and ability to do everything possible to ensure that the 2014 Olympics will stand out for their memorable sporting performances, excellent results, and simply for the fine impressions people will take with them.

I think that the work ahead will require a big effort from all of us, but I know that we can do everything necessary to make the 2014 Olympics one of the century’s most memorable sports events.

I wish all of us success and good luck in this endeavour.

Once again, despite our progress, we still have much to do. I am sure that everything will turn out well.

Go Russia!

Good luck, Sochi!