Sochi Airport

The International Olympic Committee has selected RIA Novosti, Russia's leading news agency as the Host National News Agency and the National Olympic Photo Pool for theSochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Kevan Gosper, the IOC's Press Commission Chairman revealed the Committee's decision to RIA Novosti editor-in-chief Svetlana Mironyuk during his September visit to Moscow.

"We are proud to announce that RIA Novosti was chosen as the Host National News Agency for the Sochi 2014 Olympics," Gosper said at a RIA Novosti press conference. The IOC appreciated RIA Novosti's efforts in promoting Olympic values and informing its audience about the preparation process for the games, he added.

As the Host National News Agency for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, RIA Novosti will enjoy similar status and privileges to the world news agencies officially recognized by the IOC, the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

The duties of the Host News Agency also include providing national news, sports and pictorial coverage of the Games with a focus on the host nation's athletes, and making such coverage widely available to the Russian media.

"We are sure that RIA Novosti team will provide full news coverage for the Russian and International audience of the Sochi Olympic Games and other events within the Olympics," Gosper said.

Mironyuk said RIA Novosti was honored to receive Host News Agency status.

"This is the first time Russian media outlet has been appointed as the Host News Agency for the Olympic Games. On the one hand, it's a great honor and responsibility, on the other hand, it's a wonderful opportunity for us to make a big qualitative step in development and take a place in the team of the world's news agencies," Mironyuk said.