Legacy
- The Sochi 2014 Legacy
- A Barrier-Free Environment
- Sports Venues
- Infrastructure
- Environment
- Education
- Volunteers
- Business and Leisure Centers
- Recreation Center
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the most significant athletic forum in the world. The Games have long ago ceased being just another sporting event – the modern Olympic Games are now also a colossal stimulus for the development of the country in which they are held. The Games bring long-term positive social and economic changes in addition to making it possible to establish new standards and to popularize the Olympic and Paralympic values. This rich legacy – material and non-material – remains in the host country for many years, which is why many nations compete for the right to host the Games. For the winning country, the Games are a project of national value.
There are many examples of when the Olympic and Paralympic Games have transformed and rejuvenated the image of a city, its infrastructure and economy. There were instances where the Games practically gave cities a new life. For example, the industrial center of Barcelona has become a worldwide tourist resort and Beijing became a true showcase of modern China’s achievements. Sochi 2014’s legacy plans became one of the key reasons in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members’ decision to award the 2014 Winter Games to Russia.
The Sochi 2014 Games will not only rejuvenate the city of Sochi, but will also contribute to the economic, cultural and environmental development of the entire Krasnodar Region. They will make it possible to create new standards in ecology, strategy and corporate governance. In other words, Sochi will become an example to other cities of Russia and the world. The Games in Sochi will leave behind an invaluable legacy, whose benefits will be utilized by Russian citizens long after the Games themselves become history.
The Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi will be a highlight in the history of the Paralympic Movement and will promote the active integration of people with disabilities into the mainstream life in Russian society.
One of the main legacies of the Games will be the change in the country’s attitude towards people with disabilities and the creation of a barrier-free environment for them in Sochi.
During preparations for the Sochi 2014 Games, an integrated program called “Sochi - a hospitable city”, is being developed. This program is aimed at increasing levels of comfort and convenience for all Games participants and guests, including people with disabilities. New standards in this field will also be applied to other cities of Russia in the future.
Ultra modern sports venues of an international standard will be a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations. The various sports venues that will be built in Sochi will collectively form a new international sports center with modern infrastructure including an international airport, hotels, business centers and concert halls. Some of the newly-built sports venues will be transformed into concert-entertainment centers after the Games. Additionally, after the Games, some competition venues will be dismounted and transported to other cities in Russia.
Investments in Sochi’s urban infrastructure and services in preparation for the Games will contribute to the overall development in all spheres of life in the city.
The 2014 Games will change the entire infrastructure not only in Sochi but in the entire Krasnodar Region. Southern Russia will benefit from over 200 km of new roads, an electric railway between Krasnaya Polyana and Imeretinskaya Valley, modernized engineering infrastructure and a rejuvenated coastline. Energy output in the region will increase by 2.5 times and there will be major upgrades in telecommunications as well as installation of digital TV and fiber optic communications. Modern hotels will also be created.
A new, modern airport will connect Sochi with Milan, Venice, Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona, London, Paris, New York, Chicago and Washington, as well as many other cities around the world.
The Games will make it possible to set new environmental standards in Russia. The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee’s environmental program is aimed at preserving the unique natural environment of the Krasnodar Region, as well as improving Sochi’s environmental conditions in preparation for the 2014 Winter Games.
An innovative economy does not only consist of excellent technology and the best global practices. An innovative economy is also based on high quality human capital. The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has developed an innovative concept of Olympic education, which will produce a new wave of sports managers who will posses unique knowledge and have experience in conducting the most innovative Games. The Russian International Olympic University in Sochi, which will open in 2012, will become the key centre for training a new generation of high-qualified sports managers in Russia.
The University will also train modern coaches using the most contemporary techniques, developed through the study of worldwide best practice and using the most advanced methods in athlete training. This will create a new approach for preparing future athletes.
With the support of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, a volunteer movement will be revived in Russia with the Sochi 2014 Games bringing together 25,000 volunteers.
As a result of the Sochi 2014 Games, an entire generation will be brought up with awareness and understanding of the Olympic and Paralympic values. Most importantly, tens of thousands of generous people with active lifestyles will have the opportunity to realize their dreams by becoming volunteers of the Sochi 2014 Games. In this way they will gain invaluable experience, which they will then be able to pass on to future generations.
At the end of the Games, the city of Sochi will become one of the main business and economic centers of the world. Even before the start of the Games, economic forums took place in Sochi. By 2014, dozens of world-class hotels will open their doors to Games participants, guests and officials. At the end of the Games, Sochi will become a Mecca of congress-tourism.
After the 2014 Winter Games, Sochi will be able to welcome tourists all year round. For this reason, the first multi-purpose winter sports center in Russia will be created in Sochi. It will include sports facilities, hotels, spa centers and all the necessary international standard infrastructure.