“Sochi is the city where my love of tennis began when I was just four years old, watching my father on the local courts. I am thrilled to support Sochi’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and urge all sports enthusiasts to do the same. Sochi 2014 would leave an unprecedented social, sporting and environmental legacy for Russia and the Olympic Movement, and would mean that the region’s youngsters would no longer have to travel to the other side of the world to realize their potential.“

"Sochi is an incredibly beautiful place on the Black Sea coastline, with miles of beaches in front of the city and snow-covered mountains rising behind it, so it is important to me that the Bid has paid close attention to conserving the region's natural beauty. I urge all sports enthusiasts to support Sochi 2014 and help us to bring an incredible legacy to millions of people in Russia, and inspiration to countless others around the globe."

In the highly competitive sport of professional tennis, two-time Grand Slam winner, Maria Sharapova's journey to become one of the top players in the world symbolizes her determination, grit and champion's desire to win. Maria was born in Russia on April 19, 1987. It was just four years later, after the Sharapova family moved to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi in 1989, that Maria developed a love of tennis.

Watching her father Yuri on the courts, four-year-old Maria learned to play using a second-hand racket. Yuri quickly recognized and nurtured his daughter's exceptional talent. In October 1993, her gift was confirmed from an unexpected source. Maria and Yuri were attending tennis clinics held in Moscow during the Kremlin Cup when Martina Navratilova happened to spot the six-year-old hitting balls on the court. Maria's form and shots stood out among the mostly older children. "She has talent," the legendary champion commented to Yuri - and he took her words to heart. Struggling with how to help Maria reach her potential, Yuri and his wife Yelena decided to take a chance and seek world-class coaching for their daughter. In pursuit of this dream, Maria and Yuri boarded an airplane to the United States in March 1995, leaving Yelena behind in Russia to finish college and await a visa.

The odds were against the two from the moment they touched down in Miami: neither spoke English and Yuri had just $700 in his pocket, money he had borrowed from Maria's grandparents. Several days and many bus rides later, six-year-old Maria and Yuri arrived uninvited at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Although the Academy's coaches immediately recognized Maria's talent, she was too young to be enrolled as a full-time student. Yet Yuri was not discouraged. Believing in his daughter's talent, he settled in nearby Venice and coached Maria on public and private tennis courts. For two difficult years, Yuri worked odd jobs while Maria competed in local tournaments and began to accumulate victories. In December 1995, perseverance paid off - Maria received a scholarship to the Academy and became a full-time student.

After obtaining a U.S. visa, Yelena finally reunited with Maria and Yuri in June 1996. Maria moved out of the dorms she had stayed in since she was nine-years-old and into an apartment with her parents while she continued to perfect her tennis skills at the academy. In November 2000, 13-year-old Maria exploded onto the world tennis stage with an impressive win in the Girls' 16-and-under Eddie Herr Championships. Her first professional tournament quickly followed in April 2001 and her first WTA tournament in 2002.
In a highly competitive sport where many try but few succeed, Maria Sharapova's drive and determination will inspire young girls for years to come. From her two Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, to being the first Russian female to ever claim the #1 ranking in the world, to being the fifth youngest female to ever hold the #1 spot, to her new position as UN goodwill ambassador, Maria symbolizes what hard work, world-class training and unwavering commitment can achieve: a front-row seat on the world's stage.

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