The Sochi Winter Olympic Games our country had been intensely preparing for the last seven years have taken place. 34years after Moscow hosted the Olympic Games, we experienced unforgettable impressions and bright emotions again, demonstrated the national unity and great feeling of patriotism, typical ofthe Russian people. We proved to the whole world that Russia is the great country, capable to host, capable to win...
THE XXII WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES IN SOCHI were held from 7-23 February, 2014.The organization and holding ofthe Games showed our country's force and power, beauty ofthe nature and, certainly, well-known Russian hospitality to the entire world. These days representatives of the world sports, political and cultural elite gathered in the Olympic Sochi. The day before the opening ceremony, the planes of the heads of states, participants ofthe Olympic Games were landing all day in Sochi. Snow-white liners, with the capacity of hundreds people, dropped anchors at new sea moorings that those days served as floating hotels for numerous guests and participants of a big forum. The grand sports constructions — modern stadiums and ice arenas, wonderful Olympic villages, and absolutely changed city, with its new traffic intersections and the updated transport infrastructure — all this made us feel something grandiose, powerful, not made by human hands...
The well-known resort Sochi hosted guests generously, with the Russian scope. By this day tens of hotels, resort complexes, rest houses for athletes, trainers, volunteers, guests and numerous fans had been constructed and restored. Three Olympic villages, the residential quarters for journalists with shops, cafes, beauty salons and ATMs were built.... Besides, accommodation was provided within walking distance from places of the main sports events. This made it one of the most compact Games ever.
About 6 thousand people participated in prestigious sports competitions (participants, officials and representatives), where 3 thousand athletes were from 90 countries of the world and 98 sets of medals were awarded.The Russian team was the most numerous and as a result of competitions, the most prepared, having achieved unprecedented in the Olympic history of Russian sport records, in total 33 medals!
Pleasant memories from the magnificent organization of the Games, festive mood and delight from beauty of the local nature were the impressions which participants and guests of the Olympic Games got. And all this thank to the country's government, the Olympic organizing committee, the whole army of designers, architects, engineers and builders who worked self-lessly from the first day of preparation for the Olympic Games.Because of our trainers, who managed to prepare the adequate Olympic change who justified hopes of millions Russian fans, the celebration was twice pleasant. Each medal won at these Olympic Games is a common victory of our country, so many emotions, the unite national impulse forcing the population of the huge country at the same time to hold breath, to freeze and madly chant each time: «Go Russia! Russia, go ...!»
History of the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are the world's foremost sports competitions which are held every four years. The history of these competitions originates in Ancient Greece where athletes — winners were honored as war heroes. It involuntarily suggests an idea that the healthy lifestyle, a beautiful athletic constitution were welcomed at all times, as well as friendly competitions on strength, dexterity and endurance. However, the Olympic Games originally were not only sports festival, but also religious, held in Olympia.The first documentary confirmed carrying out the event in 776 В. С., but it is known that Games were held even earlier. Besides, during the Games, all conflicts among the participating city-states were postponed until the Games were finished. But history knew also some cases of violation the truce, and even there were boycotts of the Games. Such behavior was deeply condemned by the international community at all times. And the good tradition which had arisen in Ancient Greece, did not get lost, and was finally fully revived at the end of the XIX century. The great merit of this belongs to the French public figure, Pierre de Coubertin, who considered that «The world youth» had to measure swords in sports events, but not on fields of fights. Besides, he considered that revival of the Olympic Games would serve strengthening of the peace and the international mutual understanding. He made these important ideas public at the international congress held in 1894, in Sorbonne.Then, on the Congress resolution it was decided that the first Olympic Games would take place in Athens, homeland of the Olympics in 1896. The International
Olympic Committee (IOC) was specially created for organizing the Games. The representative of the Greek people Demetrius Vikelas became the first president of the IOC, and the Secretary General was Pierre de Coubertin. The first Olympic Games of the present went over with great success in spite of the fact that only 241 athletes from 14 countries of the world participated. It was the beginning of the Olympic Gamesrevival. The II Olympic Games were held in Paris, in 1900, and for the first time ever women took part in it. It is notable that athletes from the Russian Empire participated for the first time. St. Louis hosted the III Olympic Games in 1904, and generally the American athletes took part in them because in those times it was not so easy for European athletes to cross the ocean.
In 1924, besides the Summer, the Winter Olympic Games were founded also. But, since 1994 the Summer and Winter Games alternate by occurring every four years but two years apart. It also became a good tradition, two weeks later after the Olympics, to hold the Paralympic Games for physically challenged people in venues of the Olympic Games.
The Principles, Rules and the Regulations of the Olympic Games are determined by the Olympic Charter which bases were approved by the International Sports Congress in Paris, in 1894. According to it the Olympic Games «... unite athletes without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement».
The host city for the Olympic Games is chosen by the IOC long before the celebration, by vote. The right of being the host city is prestigious and honorable for any country, any city and, therefore, candidates actively fight for a victory, trying to prove the demand with a good presentation, to represent their city brightly and colorfully.
Duration of the Games, in comparison with the first Olympic Games, has been reduced, and makes today 16-18 days.The modern Olympic Games started its celebration in 1896.
The Olympic Games of the present are more, than Games; this is a mass sports movement which draws not only great athletes attention, but also foremost socially — political and cultural figures from all over the world, promoting peoples'consolidation, mutual understanding and healthy rivalry. And wherever the Games are held, they are always accompanied by construction of grandiose sports venues, housing estates, development of infrastructure and roads. It is remarkable that all these constructions remain then in city and country using.
The Olympic symbols
The Olympic Movement has the anthem, official emblem and the flag approved by the IOC.The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions (the Olympic rings), and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. The rings are interlaced from left to right; the blue, black and red rings are situated at the top, the yellow and green rings at the bottom.
The Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius (lat. faster, higher, stronger). The Olympic flag has a white background, with no border. The Olympic symbol in its five colors is located in its center, rises at all Games, since the VII Olympic Games of 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.
Besides, any Olympic Games have the logo reflecting features of the country where it takes place.The Winter Olympic Games logo in Sochi was the specular reflection of two elements: «Sochi» and «2014», colored in blue and white that means the reflection of the snow-covered The Caucasus Mountains in waters of the Black Sea. The"ru" domain shows «the All-Russian coverage» of Games, and five interlaced rings — a constant symbol of the world Olympic Movement. Slogan: «Hot. Cool. Yours.»
Along with obligatory symbols, the Olympic Games also have lovely traditions which appeared rather later. These are the Olympic mascots. The 1968 Olympic Games had the mascot informally, since the 1972 Olympic Games, they were approved officially. The mascot is a part of the Olympic symbols which promotes reflection of spirit of the country where Games are held, creates joyful mood, and definitely helps athletes to reach good results in competitions. Mascots by all means bring good luck; therefore, they are loved by all: both athletes and fans. Following the results of the vote for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games three mascots were chosen: the Leopard, the Polar Bear and the Hare, for the Paralympic Games: The Ray of light and The Snowflake. Mascots, undoubtedly, have advertising and commercial importance and serve as an additional source of financing of the Games.
And, definitely, what Games without the Olympic flame, which long and spectacular relay precedes to. Torch relay of the Sochi Olympic Games began in Moscow on October 7, 2013 and passed more than 2900 cities and settlements of all territorial regions of the Russian Federation. A total of 14,000 torch bearers took part in the relay. These are the best of the best: athletes, politicians, public and cultural figures, and numerous volunteers. The Relay for the Sochi Olympic Games was 65 thousand km, it was the longest relay ever. The torch of Olympic flame in the form of a feather of a magic bird was taken to the ices of Yakutia, to volcanic hills of Kamchatka, lowered to the bottom of deep Lake Baikal, taken to the highest top of Europe, Elbrus and, even, space. And wherever the Flame came, it brought with itself a big sports festival, good mood and caused million warm smiles. It was carried by cars, even on cervine and dog sledging and horses. There were cheerful celebrations which gathered people of different nationalities and religion in all parts of our multinational country. The day before the Olympic Games, February 6, theFlame was delivered to Sochi which is a stone's throw from the main stadium «Fisht». The last day of the relay was, perhaps, the most representative. Under joyful greetings of people standing along following the Flame, the torch was borne by the Olympic champions Tatyana Navka and Roman Kostomarov, the president of the IOC Thomas Bach, the Minister of Defence Sergey Shoygu, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and others. Next day the Flame was carried to Fisht Stadium for the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
No Olympic Games do happen without numerous volunteers. Volunteers have an important mission-kindly greet, politely serve, help and tell whatever guests want. There were 25 thousand volunteers from 61 countries in Sochi. All of them passed careful selection. They were from 16 to 60 years, but all of them were united by one thing: all of them love sports, a fine constitution, they were smiling, benevolent, always ready to help, to prompt in a word; these were people who we would like to see not only in Sochi, but also everywhere in the streets of our cities.
The public order during the celebration of the Olympic Games was protected by more than 30 thousand officers of internal affairs and internal troops, and public combatants were also involved. However, the presence of law enforcement officers was not evident and did not disturb the festive atmosphere reigning in the city. In general, for the period of carrying out the Games, in all Olympic villages where athletes and guests of the Olympic Games lived, the so called "Sukhoi" law (the Prohibition) acted secretly.
Transport worked well-coordinated and quickly in Sochi. Additional routes were provided and organized; special buses for uninterrupted delivery of the audience to places of sports events and for sightseeing tours were launched. Practice of the Olympic Games shows that during the celebration, the air transport becomes overloaded that also was taken into consideration by organizers of the Games. The best drivers were involved to serve the guests. All vehicles, involved in holding the Olympic Games, were equipped with high-technical safety systems.
Tickets for the opening ceremony and some types of Games, especially for figure skating and hockey with participation of the Russian athletes, were bought up long before the beginning of tournaments. Spectator places were jam-packed, fans roughly supported the national teams. It was possible to study wide geography ofthe countries participating in the Olympic Games by multi-colored flags on tribunes.
Medals
The Olympic Games come to the end by awarding sets of prestigious Olympic medals (gold, silver, bronze) to winners. The medals of the Olympic Games in Sochi had been given a bright and original design. The unusual combination of metal and polycarbonate gave the medals special lightness. The medals had been engraved with the signature «Patchwork Quilt» of the Games — a mosaic of national designs from the various cultures and ethnicities of the Russian Federation. Products made from precious alloys andduring the manufacture of medals, a combination of manual work and ultra-modern technology was used. Thickness of medals, diameter, weight meets all standards and requirements, and gold medals contain 6 grams of gold with a 999 hallmark. The obverse of the medal depicts the Olympic rings, the reverse has the competition name in English and the Sochi 2014 emblem inscribed on it.On the edge medals have the official name of the Games inscribed in Russian, English and French.The Paralympic medals contain inscriptions in Braille.The manufacturer of the medals is company «Adamas». Generally, medals were successfully made, both by design and by quality: they were bitten by athletes, sunk into champagne ...Sustained it over, that was required.
Hundred days prior to the Sochi Olympic Games the Bank of Russia also issued special coins and 20 million copies of 100-ruble notes for the Games.
The Olympic venues in Sochi
The important question of any event is a comfortable accommodation and guests service.The set of the Olympic placement included more than 40 new or repaired units that made about 28 thousand rooms and comfortable apartments. Each of these units is worth speaking about separately, but there is something in common: modern eco-friendly and energy saving technologies with unique architectural plans that were used while constructing these
new buildings and cottages. For example, the unique eco- friendly material as the Siberian pine that was used in cottages constructing. For heating and comfortable temperature maintenance in rooms the underground thermal waters were even used. While building objects in mountains where there are earthquakes and landslides, aseismic technologies were applied. For example, walls of buildings were put up by blocks which were tied together with special seams allowing the building to vibrate, instead of collapsing in case of an earthquake. Therefore, the Laura complex was called «aseismic Laura». In general, the number of comfortable rooms and apartments of The Olympic Games in Sochi not only conformed to standard requirements of the IOC, but also surpassed them. The main sports venues of the Olympic Games did not concede to accommodation objects: grandiose covered constructions, the ice arenas and specially equipped modern sports tracks. Some Olympic venues have to be viewed in detail.
For example, the Sochi Media Center is 7 times bigger than Red Square in Moscow. The total area of the building itself is 158 thousand sq.m. Over two thousand representatives of mass media had the opportunity to work at the same time. The well-planned hotel for 600 journalists was provided. In general, many objects were constructed with its shops, cafes, laundries, drugstores and clinics.
The mountain Olympic village is built at the altitude of 1130 m above sea level. The representatives of alpine skiing, snowboard, freestyle, luge, skeleton, bobsleigh, ski jumping and Nordic combined lived there. In order not to close the view to a beautiful natural landscape, the village was built from buildings of different heights and it can accommodate up to 2600 people.
The Rosa Khutor alpine complex is intended for alpine skiing competitions.The overall length of the competition tracks is 20 km. The famous architect of alpine skiing tracks Bernhard Russi was engaged in the project.
It was also hot in the Iceberg Skating Palace where figure skating and short track competitions were held. It is important to note that the name «Iceberg» is picked up successfully as it equally sounds in Russian, English and French. And the palace capacity is 12 thousand people. In general, many sporting venues in Sochi have a unique feature: they are portable and can be re-located to any city of Russia. The Iceberg Skating Palace is one of such venues.
The additional mountain Olympic village — is located within walking distance from the Laura Biathlon and Cross-country skiing complex at the altitude of 1430 m above sea level. The village is up for 1100 people and consists of 3 parts: hotel complex, hotels and cottage settlement. There is an artificial reservoir for work ensuring of artificial snow making system.
The portable Ice Cube Curling Center was built for curling competitions with four platforms and with a capacity of 3 thousand people. It was fairly appreciated by athletes and the audience during the most interesting team curling competitions, both males and females.
Construction of the Russki Gorki Jumping Center was thought over carefully. Its modern jumps such as of the K-95, K-125 are constructed on the crest and slopes of two ridges without breaking the beauty of a natural landscape and, at the same time, protecting jumpers from the wind. After the Games, it is planned to create a national training center on the basis of the Complex.
Laura cross-country ski and biathlon center consists of two stadiums, two separate systems of tracks for cross-country skiing and biathlon, a shooting area and warm-up and competition zones. The name of a complex occurs from the river Laura that flows there.
Adler Arena Skating Center is a covered oval stadium with two competitive and one training tracks. The length of each track is 400 meters. The unique thing about this venue is that it has a special modern ventilation system to keep an optimum microclimate.The stadium was open in 2012, and its capacity is 8 thousand people.
In the Shayba Arena, ice hockey and sledge hockey competitions were held. It is a portable venue with a capacity of 7 thousand people.
The Bolshoy Ice Palace was built specially for ice hockey competitions; it has the capacity of 12 thousand spectator places. The arena was designed in a way that it resembles a big frozen drop which is silvered in the afternoon and iridescent at night.
The Gorki Media Center is able to receive around 4,000 television and radio broadcasters and 500 media representatives from around the world at the same time. It is located at the altitude of 540 meters above sea level.
The Olympic Park unites sports venues, a parkzone and infrastructure facilities. It is considered to host 75 thousand visitors at the same time. And there is the Olympic platform for celebration and reward ceremony in the park center. Different attractions are located there, Ded Moroz residence, expositions of the regions, exhibition halls and the fans house.
Representatives of ice hockey, curling, figure skating, speed skating and short track settled in the Coastal Olympic village with the capacity of 3 thousand people. Near it there were shops, a canteen, beauty salons, post offices, the cultural center in the village.
There are no more than 20 venues in the world such as Sanki Olympic Sliding Center. The total extent of the track is 1815 m. Uniqueness of the route is that it is supplied with modern technologies of temperature control.
Special words deserve Fisht Olympic Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies were held. The name of stadium was given in honor of Mount Fisht (from Adygei 'grey-haired'). The roof of the stadium is translucent and all the beauty of mount Fisht can be seen. It is a portable venue; the capacity of tribune is changeable from 25 to 45 thousand audience.
The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games
So, on February 7, 2014 at 20.14 MSK, the audience of Fisht Stadium in Sochi was ready to witness the breath-taking opening ceremony. Billion TV viewers from all over the world were comfortably sitting at the TVs. Just ready to see the opening of a grandiose world sports event — the XXII Winter Olympic games. Tribunes of Fisht Stadium, with a capacity up to 45 thousand people, were jam-packed by the audience. There were distinguished guests headed by the Russian President V.V. Putin and the president ofthe IOC Thomas Bach, as well as guests of honor of the Olympic Games — heads of states, participants of Games.
So, in solemn silence under the stadium dome the huge scenery reminding landscapes of our immense country were floating: the snow-white birches, grazing horses on a meadow, roofs of houses and churches, various melodies can be heard... Then, snowflakes were falling down from the sky. And five large snowflakes descended into the stadium, they grew in size and joined to form the Olympic rings symbolizing the world Olympic Movement. Performed by chorus of the Sretensky monastery, the anthem of the Russian Federation sounded. The Russian flag was being raised over Fisht Stadium.
Within the developed tradition, the Parade of Athletes of the Olympic Games followed. Breaking with tradition, teams were not going round the stadium, but they were appearing from the very center of the stadium. At that time a projected rendering of the Earth showing each competing country imaged. According to the custom, athletes of Greece marched the first because of the country where the Olympic Games were originated, followed by other competing countries in alphabetical order with the host country culminating the march. The Russian team was the most numerous. Athletes passed in bright suits: red colored trousers, furred coats and ushanka hats (Russian hats with earflaps), accompanied by music of Tatù group «Not gonna get us». The well-known bobsleigh pilot Alexander Zubkov was the flag-bearer of our team.
Delegations of athletes from all over the world passed stadium in their original suits, different in number. Among them there were well-known Olympic champions and also absolutely young, taking part in competitions of such level fot the first time. And the famous DJ Leonid Rudenko made the athletes pass much brighter and more colorful. After the Athletes Parade, the Olympic Games mascots appeared: the Polar Bear, Hare and Leopard reminding a mascot of Summer Universiade in Kazan. Then, a spectacular show with holographic effects followed and guests of the Olympic Games made a tour to history of Russia. These were the creation of the Russian Fleet, far pre-revolutionary Russia presented by the ballet «War and peace», revolution maturing and accomplishment, and period of great industrialization and, of course, the big tragedy of the Great Patriotic War reflected by disturbing sounds and paints. But soon there were peace scenes, the song «Podmoskovniye vechera» (Moscow suburban nights) sounded, there came the Olympic Games of 1980 in Moscow...
More than three thousand dancers, acrobats, actors, singers took part in the thematic show «Dreams of Russia». In general, more than 10 thousand organizers and participants were involved in preparation of the event, and 2 thousand volunteers. For this ceremony 6 thousand suits were sewed. Much original scenery which weighted about 5 tons and more than 3 thousand fireworks were used. As for a music background, «Polovetsky dances» by Borodin, Georgy Sviridov's suite «Time, forward"and other works were used. The main organizer of the ceremony is Konstantin Ernst, the creative producer and the script writer; Georgy Tsypin — is the art director and the scriptwriter and others. The ceremony was performed in Russian, English and French languages. Broadcasting was provided by 140 television cameras. At a ceremony,among distinguished guests were the UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon, the secretary general of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland.
The official part ofthe ceremony was opened by the chairman of the organizing committee of the Olympic Games of «Sochi-2014» Dmitry Chernyshenko. He warmly welcomed participants and guests of the Olympic Games, made a brief speech in English and French languages:
«Dear friends, welcome to XXII Winter Olympic games in Sochi! Our city is unique as all of Russia is unique, the country of great achievements and victories. We are proud to host the Olympic Games. In 2007 in Guatemala our president told the world about our dream which seemed unrealizable. But the IOC believed in this dream with us. And here, seven years later, we are in the center of this dream which has become reality. The way to Games was difficult, but we reached the top thanks to professionalism of the Sochi-2014 team, support of the International Olympic Committee and sports federations, and also an unprecedented involvement of Russian citizens into the process of preparation of Games. In front of our eyes all country turned into the Olympic Games Fan club. And now we are faced a challenge, that is not less important than preparation for the Games, is to justify trust which is rendered to us».
Then the president of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach spoke. He started his speech with greetings in Russian. He noted the scope of construction in Sochi: what took decades in other parts of the world, was achieved here in just seven years. He thanked organizers, volunteers and residents for understanding and hospitality. Thomas Bach is the Olympic champion in fencing. Then he said: "In this way, the Olympic Games, wherever they take place, set an example for a peaceful society. Olympic Sport unites the people with the different education, cultures, having different views and opinions.This unity and variety is essence of the Olympic Movement. So let's celebrate today this unification in a country with the richest cultural traditions, that loves sports, and we will greet athletes from all over the world in Sochi. Let's keep this spirit of unity for a long time and after the end of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. I wish all athletes a good luck and I hope that everybody who watches today the opening ceremony in Sochi will experience true pleasure in any part of the Earth".
After his speech the president of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin declared the XXII Winter Olympic games in Sochi open. Under the stadium dome, thousands of people applauded. The well-known people were carrying the Olympic flag to the stadium, they did not need to be introduced: Vyacheslav Fetisov, Chulpan Khamatova,Valéry Gergiev, Lidiya Skoblikova, Alan Enileev, Anastasia Popova, Nikita Mikhalkov, Valentina Tereshkova.The Olympic anthem was sung live by the Russian opera singer, the national actress of the Russian Federation Anna Netrebko while the Russian and Olympic flags were rising over the arena. Russian short-track speed skater Ruslan Zakharov stepped forward to take the Olympic oath on behalf of all the athletes, while Vyacheslav Vedenin performed the same task for the judges, and Anastasia Popkova took the oath on behalf of the coaches.
The culmination of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games was the lighting of the cauldron. Maria Sharapova, Elena Isinbaeva, Aleksandr Karelin, Alina Kabayeva participated in this important and responsible ceremony.Torch relay was finished by the triple Olympic champion, the president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation VladislavTretiak and the triple Olympic champion figure skater Irina Rodnina. Having run the last meters of multi-kilometer relay, they brought fire to a foot of the stele reminding a huge magic bird in flight.The fiery being bent path in seconds ran up along a construction, and the huge flame of the main sports festival of year shot up highly over Fisht Stadium, urging people of the world to forget all political and national disagreements, calling for the peace and friendly competitions on sports grounds and tracks. This was followed by a fireworks display, shining the horizons of the night sky over Sochi, proclaiming the international status of the city, increasing glory and the world popularity.
The Olympic Games routine
The schedule of the Olympic Games was tense: every day it was filled with emotions of victories and defeats of athletes, a celebration and confusion in spectator tribunes. The good start for our national team was set by a young figure skater Yulia Lipnitskaya whom journalists called «the girl with iron nerves». The bright finale in ladies single skating was made also by seventeen-year-old Adelina Sotnikova, in the most difficult fight, literally, having pulled out a victory from the well-known Yuna Kim — the figure skater from South Korea. But not all figure skaters were successful. On the seventh day during warm-up before the short single program Evgeny Plushenko got a dangerous spine injury and left further competition. The team lost the strongest athlete. But something always happens in sport, especially, on ice. There is a sport where athletes are helped not by passion, but cold calculation. Audience was convinced in it while watching the most interesting game of our girls — curlers. The girls worked well-coordinated, orderly, deliberately and not incidentally the audience called them «girls of sense and beauty". Hockey wasn't successful either. And the score of the match with an American team caused a wave of discontent on tribunes. At the Rosa Khutor Alpine Complex was hot too. The victory of our twenty-two-year-old snowboarder Nikolay Olyunin was very emotional.
On February 17 weather was going bad; Sochi was experiencing dense fog, rain and even snow. The track became wet, almost impassable. Skiers fell one by one, among them was our biathlonist Evgeny Ustyugov and, as a result, time for a victory was unfortunately wasted. A bobsleigh pilot Alexander Zubkov (he was the flag-bearer of ourteam atthe parade) and his crew member Alexey Voyevodin in the last day of the Olympic Games surely made the gold contribution to the total medal table, good job, guys!
Closing ceremony of the Olympic Games
The Closing ceremony of the Olympic Games was held at Fisht Stadium on February 23.The president of Russia V.V. Putin, the president of the IOC Thomas Bach with the spouse, members of the Russian government and foreign guests were on the tribune for the guests of honor. The National Anthem was performed by children-participants of the All-Russian joint choir directed by Valéry Gergiev.The bright appearance of masterly drummers of the Moscow military college took place. Parade of national teams — participants of the Olympic Games took place under warm greetings of tribunes. Continuing the tradition of the Winter Games, the winners in the women's 30 km cross-country skiing and men's 50 km, held earlier in the day, were presented with their medals at Fisht Olympic Stadium. This ceremony was held by Thomas Bach.The winners among women were representatives of the national team of Norway who got all three medals, among men — Russian athletes. These were A. Legkov, M.Vylegzhanin and I. Chernousov. As a result, the Russian national team topped the medal table.
The theatrical show, «Reflection of Russia» was devoted to the cultural heritage of Russia. A grand circus performance was organized with participation of hundred acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists, clowns, actors. Following the tradition, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, handed the flag to the mayor of the next host city of the Winter Olympic Games Pyeongchang, Seok Rae Lee. The national anthem of the Republic of Korea was played. The short presentation of the city of Pyeongchang in which well-known Korean performers took part was held.
The president of the organizing committee of the «Sochi-2014» Olympic Games Dmitry Chernyshenko warmly thanked participants, fans, volunteers and everyone who served guests and participants of the Olympic Games. The president of the IOC Thomas Bach began his speech in Russian: «Thank you, Sochi. Thank you, Russia! «Then he continued: «Athletes — you have inspired us over this last 17 days. You have excelled in competitions and shared your emotions with us and the whole world. You have celebrated victory and defeat with dignity.. By living together under one roof in the Olympic Village you send a powerful message from Sochi to the world: the message of a society of peace, tolerance and respect «.
«We all have enjoyed exceptional conditions in these Olympic Winter Games. Our Russian hosts had promised excellent sports venues, outstanding Olympic Villages and what took decades in other parts of the world, has been achieved here in just seven years, an impeccable organization. Russia delivered all what it had promised",— Bach said.
The president of the IOC thanked the president of Russia V.V. Putin for his personal commitment to the extraordinary success of these Olympic Winter Games,The Russian Government, the Organizing Committee, the Russian National Olympic Committee, the IOC Members in Russia and all the people of Sochi and Russia deserve our deep gratitude. To this success the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations, the National Olympic Committees, the sponsors and broadcasters have greatly contributed. I am sure they all will remember these Olympic Games in Sochi and will come back to create a great sport legacy»,— Bach said.
He thanked volunteers: «You, volunteers, with your warm smile made the sun shine for us every day. Your wonderful engagement will create the legacy of a strong civil society in Russia.Through you everybody with an open mind could see the face of a new Russia: efficient and friendly, patriotic and open to the world».
«These were the Athletes' Games!"- declared Thomas Bach,"We arrived with great respect for the rich and varied history of Russia. We leave as friends of the Russian people. Good-bye, Sochi. Good-bye, Russia»,— Thomas Bach finished the performance and declared the XXII Winter Olympic games closed.
The Olympic mascots the Polar Bear, Hare and Leopard appeared on the arena of the stadium.
The song «Good-bye, Moscow!" which once sounded at the Olympic Games in Moscow became an unexpected pleasant surprise for all people. The bear, who was almost the grandson of the Olympic Bear of 1980, sadly blew into Olympic flame and the audience saw the tear which was rolling down his face. At this moment many people in a stadium's tribune and at TVs involuntarily brushed away tears. The Olympic flame over Fisht Stadium was extinguished, having forever left in heart of each of us a sparkle of the warm flame.The celebration came to an end; the wonderful fairy tale of 17 days came to an end. But sad mood dissipated at once when the arena was filled by children with mimosa branches in their hands, turning the stadium into a yellow blooming meadow. Hundreds of searchlights under the dome of the huge stadium managed to transfer to audience an indescribable atmosphere of wakening nature, beginning of spring in all its bright colors and shades.There was a spring rain, being poured by all colors of a rainbow. The Closing Ceremony ended with a fireworks show over the Olympic Park, the coastal Olympic village and the emptied mountain tracks where there were hot sports battles in the afternoon.
«Sochi-2014» Olympic Games results
In 16 sports days of the Olympic Games 98 sets of the Olympic medals were awarded. As a result, the national team of Russia topped the medal tally, having won surprising quantity of medals: 13 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals, total number — 33 medals! The second place was taken by a national team of Norway and the third place — a national team of athletes from Canada. 15 winter disciplines united in 7 Olympic Winter sports were included into the program of the Winter Olympic Games. There were Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating and Skiing.
In the Congress center of the Olympic village in Sochi on February 24, President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin met with the Russian athletes — winners and prize-winners of the Olympic Games, congratulated them on success, thanked for record quantity of the won medals.
«The Olympic Games — are much more, than just the international competitions.There is a competition for the most sports country. And to be among leaders is of national prestige»,— the President noticed. He emphasized that the Russian athletes coped with an objective, defended honor of the country. «Definitely, they deserve not only sport awards, but also state as well». The ceremony of presenting prestigious state awards to athletes took place. Athletes were photographed with the President, with the Olympic rings placed as a background on the square.The same day participants of the ceremony planted 33 trees — number of medals won at the Olympic Games — along the Avenue of winners in the Olympic Park.
And Russian Prime Minister D. A. Medvedev, while handing to the Russian winners keys from brand new cars, thanked athletes, and declared that the Olympic Games in Sochi became an event which joined all Russians.
The Paralympic Games in Sochi
The Olympic Games ended, and the Paralympic Games started. The Torch Relay of the Paralympic Games started at Cape Dezhnev on February, 26th and headed to the west ofthe country. More than 1,500 torchbearers over the course of 10 days carried the Paralympic Flame across the 45 Russian cities and on March, 7th it was delivered in Sochi and lit flame bowl over Fisht Stadium, confirming that for physically challenged people, the success and sporting achievements are unlimited. Over 1600 athletes from 45 countries participated in the Xlth Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.The program included 5 sports and 72 sets of medals were awarded.
As a result the Russian Paralympic athletes won first place in a medal count, having shown unprecedented result: 80 medals: 30 gold, 28 silver and 22 bronze medals. On the second place — athletes from Germany: 9 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medal. On the third place — athletes from Canada: 7 gold medals, 2 silver and 7 bronze medals.
The Paralympic Games closing ceremony was on March, the 16th, 2014.The opening and closing ceremonies were as spectacular as the Olympic. Musical and choreographic compositions and a great number of the trapeze artists, who were freely soaring under the stadium dome, were used in the performance, and this confirmed: for people with limited opportunities there was nothing impossible! And, definitely, what a celebration without fireworks, which everyone who was there, remembered.
The best art groups of the country performed in the cultural program of the Paralympic Games, as well as the Olympic Games. Among them was young, but already a winner of art competitions and festivals, ensemble of accordion players «Khars» from the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic which presented national musical and choreographic culture of the people of the republic of KChR in a very colourful way.
«Hot. Cool. Yours.»
Days of the Olympic Games were really «hot», «cool» for everyone who was lucky to be in Sochi as an athlete, a trainer or a fan. The delegation of sports judges, numbering 19 people was headed by the President of winter sports of NCFD, the President of the Alpine Skiing Union of Russia Dzharashtiyev Uruslan Magomedovich. Dzharashtiyev U.M. yas been dealing with problems of alpine skiing development for fourty years and is a mem ber of presidium of the Deaf Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Federation in Russia. He took direct part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing and, we suppose, it would be interesting to many readers to learn his competent opinion on a state and prospects of further development of winter sports in Russia, especially when three judges at once who worked in Sochi were from the Dzharashtiyevs family: he and two his sons — Otar and Tengiz Dzharashtiyev. We met with the Dzharashtiyevs family.
Question: Uruslan Magomedovich, who presented the North Caucasus Federal District in the sports judging panel?
U.M. Dzharashtiyev.The North Caucasus Federal Districtjudging panel consisted of 10 people from Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, 8 were from Stavropol Region, and 1 was from Ingushetia.
Question. How had judges been preparing for the Olympic Games? Or were they preparing at all?
U.M. Dzharashtiyev.We had had an experience of judicial work behind us, nevertheless, within two years we constantly participated in seminars to
get ready for the Olympic Games. The first such seminar was held in 2011. We also participated in test competitions, as well as at the World Cup stages in freestyle and in alpine skiing.
Question. What sports were judged by representatives from the North Caucasus Federal District?
U.M. Dzharashtiyev. We judged alpine skiing and freestyle.
Question. Tell us about founding of the Deaf Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Federation.
U.M. Dzharashtiyev. We began working on creation of the Deaf Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Federation in 2007 and finished in 2011. At first, the national team numbered 4 people, now 18 people. We plan to participate in the Deaflympic games regularly.The next such games will take place in 2015 in Khanty-Mansiysk and in Bashkiria.
Question. What do you think about the winter sports development in the North Caucasus Federal District?
U.M. Dzharashtiyev. Our environment just obliges us to be the first in all winter sports, but, unfortunately, we have no mass enthusiasm as there are also no conditions for serious trainings. Even if we take pupils of comprehensive schools, we can see that physical education classes often pass formally. I suggest choosing one day in the schedule of the pupils and devote it entirely to sport, in order to bring them to a slope of the mountain or a skating rink, to put on skis, skates, etc.
Question. Our Olympians and Paralympians showed excellent results in Sochi. What should be done to keep such positions for the following Olympic Games?
U.M.Dzharashtiyev. It is necessary to develop mass occupation of sports activities, to cultivate love to sport and definitely to create corresponding conditions for this purpose.
Question. Uruslan Magomedovich, many people know you as an authoritative judge and skilled trainer, you did and you do a lot of things for development of alpine skiing not only in NCFD, but also in Russia, you devote much time to sports development among deafs, you aim them at success, you give hope. As a result, your pupil Denislav Ogarev from KChR won the first place among young men and the second place in the Alpine Skiing Championship of Russia and is going to participate in the XVIII Deaflympic Games. Probably, it is hard and often it is necessary to overcome some bureaucratic barriers. What are your future plans?
U.M. Dzharashtiyev.There are a lot of plans, one of them — creation of CYSS (children's and youth sports school) in suburbs of Kislovodsk, the land relief allows to try there many winter sports. In addition, I dream that my pupils would believe in their power and win gold. I want a peace of mind, wellbeing and the peace.
Uruslan Magomedovich's son Otar Dzharashtiyev got an economic education in Russia, then 4 years studied in Damascus, can speak the Arabic and English languages fluently. Currently, he is the vice-president of the ANPO (Association of Non-profit Organizations). In Sochi Otar Dzharashtiyev was a member of the judicial team from Karachay-Cherkessia and worked as a sports judge at the finish zone, and his brother Tengiz was a judge at the start zone.
Question. Otar, your first impression of the Olympic Sochi?
O. Dzharashtiyev. To be very brief, feeling of something grandiose, magnificent... The scope of construction, organization of the Games, the opening and closing ceremonies impressed me greatly.
Question. There were many athletes, guests in Sochi and what do you think about the service?
O. Dzharashtiyev. Despite of the big flow of people, there were not any queues: food, aerial lift, movement around the city — everything was thought over.
Question. What does work of the judge consist of?
O. Dzharashtiyev. There are many duties that cannot be seen at first sight. At least, we helped to prepare the track for competitions from 6 o'clock in the morning.
Question. You were a judge at the finish zone, and it is a squall of human emotions: tears of happiness, defeat... What stayed in your memory?
O. Dzharashtiyev. Strength of mind, persistence, will to win, especially of delicate girls who fearlessly conquered dangerous tracks, which not every man would venture to step into.
Question. Otar, what is your dream now?
O. Dzharashtiyev. There is a strong wish to participate in the XXIII Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
Thanks for the interview and good luck!
Алла Чотчаева
By Alla Chotchaeva
