29 June 2007
Statement from Mikhail Gorbachev on support for Sochi 2014
«Russia continues to change and grow. Such a process is never easy in the world's largest country but I am confident that the Games would serve as a source of progress, boosting our all important transition and bringing all the Russian people together around the Olympic ideals».
«Now more than ever, Russia has proved itself to be a committed and reliable partner for the IOC, a partner that would stage an exceptional Games, and a partner that would take the outmost of what the Olympic Spirit which has the power to instil in a nation: progress, openness to the world and inspiration for future generations».
«The Winter Olympic Games in Russia for the first time in our history stand as a historic opportunity for the Olympic Movement to mark Russia’s future forever».