The President of Russia introduced Jacques Rogge to the Russian officials responsible for preparing for the Olympics, and briefed him on the structure of the government agencies in question. The President noted that, in order to help build the Olympic facilities and guarantee transparency in decision-making, representatives of the Russian and the international environmental organizations will provide the extensive professional expertise.
Vladimir Putin reiterated that the Olympiad represents a good opportunity to develop southern Russia and to address infrastructure and environmental issues. Referring in particular to the environmental question, Vladimir Putin noted Sochi’s lack of proper public and energy infrastructure. This will have to be created in preparation for the Olympics.
This is the first meeting between IOC President and its members and their Russian counterparts. They will be working together in preparation for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. The city was chosen to be the site of the Olympics at the 119th session of the IOC that took place in Guatemala in July 2007.
Jacques Rogge, in turn, introduced Vladimir Putin to the IOC’s experts. From now on the two sides will meet on a regular basis.