Moscow will witness the world’s best alpine skiers compete on January 2 next year,
which is conducted primarily to motivate Russians much ahead of the Sochi 2014
Winter Olympics. Held near the Moscow State University Building, where the
Freestyle and Snowboard World Cup events took place last season, the competition
will be amongst the top ten World Cup slalom participants from last year’s Val
d’Isere and two wild-cards entry Russians; Alexander Khoroshilov and Stepan Zuev.

The ramp for the competition will be erected on an artificially pre-built slope
that can accommodate around 30,000 spectators. Standing at a staggering 60m in
height and spanning for 150 meters, the ramp is reportedly 25% larger than the
previously built ramp that was used for the Freestyle and Snowboard World Cup
events.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in a reception that was held in Kremlin to celebrate the success of the Russian Paralympic team at the Beijing Paralympics, declared that the Paralympic Games is one of the best sporting concepts of the twentieth century.

Having bagged a total of 18 gold, 23 silver and 22 bronze medals at various events this year; the athletes did fare much better than they did at Athens in 2004. While only 61 athletes participated in Athens, the strength of the Russian team in Beijing was a remarkable 145.

President Dmitry, who incidentally is also the head of the Presidential Council for Sochi 2014 and Paralympics Winter Games, believes that they would definitely inspire thousands of physically challenged individuals across the country.

The athletes of the Beijing Olympics were joined by the president for a photography session to honor the occassion, sealing the spectacular event in history.

Mikhail Terentiev, a Russian Paralympic champion and the General Secretary of the National Paralympic Committee, communicated to physically challenged children via a video conference at the Sochi 2014 Joint Information Center in Sochi. Speaking from Beijing, Mikhail stressed that sports can add value to the lives of these children and that this awareness has to be spread throughout the country.

The youngsters responded by displaying images of possible mascots which they had designed for the upcoming Sochi 2014 Winter Games. The enthusiasm in the atmosphere was reflecting in their communication as most of them wanted to know where and how disabled children can participate in sporting events. 

Mihkail, who was afflicted by a spinal injury at the age of 16, went on to pursue a degree in Economics after a gruelling rehabilitation program. With multiple gold, silver and bronze medals to his credit, he soon became a hero for many youngsters in Russia.

With the infrastructural planning and operation for the Sochi Winter Olympics well on its way, its now the turn of the environmental experts to evaluate and monitor the flora and fauna that surround the site of Sochi 2014. Joined by a group of scholars from the People’s Friendship University in Russia, they studied and recorded zoological and botanical information that are present in the recreational area of the Sochi National Park. This is an effort to maintain a regular update of the records of existing wildlife in the Krasnodar region.
Furthermore, this increases the awareness about conserving the environment amongst the participating students.
Sochi 2014 will also be stressing on the benefits of protecting the environment, thus spreading a green and clean legacy to the rest of the world. Considering the many issues that have been spinning over many parts of the world such as Global warming in recent times, Russia’s attempt to emphasize on environmental awareness and conservation is applaudable.

Long after the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 spectacle fade away, Sochi will remain a playground for the rich and famous. With many private investors pooling in an effort to transform Sochi into a haven for the super rich and dream holiday destination, the Black Sea getaway spot is all set to become one of the most beautiful and bustling cities in the country. Billions of dollars are to be invested in the Olympic construction program that includes the construction of over 250 facilities such as posh hotels, stadiums and sports training centers. The investors and the Krasnodar regional administration believe that Sochi would become a major tourist location and attraction for the elite. Read the complete Post.

Hertz International, the leading car rental company, will begin operating in Sochi from three locations - Sochi Adler Airport, railway station and in the center (which will be opened for International business travelers and regional visitors).

You can select from a wide array of vehicles at these locations that also offer chauffeur services and long term rentals.

The annual Turkish-Russian Business Council will be gathering in Sochi between September 17th and 22nd for the Seventh International Investment Forum. Numerous international investors and businessmen are expected to participate in several meetings and seminars, where some of them will also be making presentations on investment projects and prospects in the Russian Federation.

The Valdai Discussion Club, that primarily consisted of diplomats, journalists and senior officials spent over an hour each with Putin, Medvedev and Foriegn Minister Sergei Lavrov during the weekend in Sochi. This annual convention, which has been held since 2004, is held to discuss Russian policy related issues. This year, the ambience was fresh and dramatic due to the recent Moscow power shift and the Caucasus conflict.

Mitry Kozak, the head of the Ministry for Regional Development of Russia announced that the cost of the 2014 Winter Olympics will be considerably less than it was declared. During a brief visit to Beijing he reportedly said that the sports equipment and infrastructural expenses would cost far less than was specified in their bid for the Olympics.

Gomel Distillery was awarded a toltal of five medals, including 4 gold ones at the 15th International Specialized Exhibition in Sochi. Producing over sixty kinds of vodkas, herbal liquorsm brandies and asperitifs, Gomel distillery was the recepient of the ISO 9001/2001 certificate, which elevated its status to that of International standards.