'The most beautiful woman in the world' to promote Sochi 2014

12/14/2009

"14 December 2009, Sochi, Russia - Russia's most famous supermodel, Natalia Vodianova, has been unveiled as a new Ambassador for the country's first Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Sochi 2014.

Vodianova (27) has fronted campaigns for Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, L'Oréal and Chanel, graced the front cover of 'Vogue' and was described by designer Tom Ford as "the most beautiful woman in the world". She is a keen philanthropist and set up her own major charitable foundation, the 'Naked Heart Foundation', which aims to provide safe environments for children to play. She is married to Briton, Lord Justin Portman, with whom she has three children.

Vodianova will follow the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Sir Phillip Craven, the President of Sochi 2014, Dmitry Chernyshenko, addressing crowds in Red Square at the launch of Sochi 2014's new Paralympic brand as part of Russia's inaugural Paralympic Day celebrations.

Natalia Vodianova, Sochi 2014's newest Ambassador, said:

"Sochi 2014 is a major opportunity for Russia and the world to embrace sport and healthy living, but also to help build understanding and friendship between people from different cultures. For many people, it will be the first time they see Russia in a different light.

"As we celebrate Russia's first ever dedicated Paralympic Day in Russia, I'm proud to take this new role for Sochi 2014. Ultimately, our first Winter Games will help create greater awareness and better understanding of the millions of people who live with perceived disabilities in our country."

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014, said:

"Natalia is an icon in Russia and around the world. Sochi 2014 will be an iconic Winter Games and with Natalia's help, we can be an inspiration to millions of people for a healthier, happier life."

Vodianova joins 2008 Ice Hockey World champion and two-time NHL MVP, Alexander Ovechkin; the Russian Ice Hockey Team; reigning Olympic Bobsleigh champion, Aleksander Zoubkov; the Russian Women's Curling Team; double Olympic Gymnastics champion, three-time Ice Hockey World champion, Sergey Fedorov; Svetlana Khorkina; 2006 Olympic Freestyle Skiing medallist, Vladimir Lebedev; famous Alpinist, Kazbek Khamitsaev; internationally acclaimed conductor, Yuriy Bashmet; world-famous conductor, Valery Gergiev; 2009 Ice Dancing World champions, Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin; and 2008 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dima Bilan; as a Sochi 2014 Ambassador.

Sochi 2014 Ambassadors are a selection of sporting or cultural icons who now play a key role in promoting sport and healthy lifestyles in Russia and spreading the Olympic and Paralympic values around the world.

For more information visit www.sochi2014.com.

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Your complete source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.

 

(Copyright 1992 2008, all rights reserved. The information in this report may not be published, excerpted, or otherwise distributed in print or broadcast without the express prior consent of Around the Rings.)