Sochi 2014 boosts volunteer movement in Russia

4/17/2009

April 17, 2009, Moscow, Russia – Sochi 2014 has ushered in new approaches to volunteerism in Russia with the introduction of a United Program of Olympic Education and Training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi. The plan was presented at the Sochi 2014 Joint Information Center (JIC) in Moscow at an event attended by representatives of every department and body involved in Games-related training.

Attendees included Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and Olympic speed-skating Champion, Svetlana Zhurova; Russian Federation Deputy Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy, Oleg Rozhnov and Deputy Head of the State Duma Committee on Education, Irina Rodnina. They were joined by Russian Federation Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Physical Culture and Sport, Anton Sikharulidze, and Russian Olympic Committee Honorary Vice-President Vladimir Rodichenko.

The presentation was concluded with a discussion attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Olympic Committee of Russia, the Public Chamber, leaders from Russia’s leading universities and public organizations working with volunteers.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 President and CEO, said: “How Sochi 2014 is seen and experienced will substantially depend on the people making it happen. It is therefore important to unite our efforts in encouraging volunteerism and working with volunteers, as this will be integral to the success of Russia’s first ever Winter Games.

“Our ambitious volunteer plan is designed to attract and develop volunteers from all over Russia. At the start of the Sochi 2014 volunteer program, just 9% of Russian people were involved in volunteerism. This work therefore has the potential not only to help make Sochi 2014 a memorable Games, but bring a lasting legacy to the volunteer movement throughout Russia.”

The Sochi 2014 volunteer program is already capturing the imagination, with winners of the all-Russian Olympic Relay competition revealed in more than 30 regions of the Russian Federation. They will arrive in Moscow on April 28 to take part in the final competition stage, after which the national prizewinners will be announced. First prize will be the opportunity to work as a volunteer at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

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