Sochi, Russia, September 6th, 2006 – Sochi 2014, Russia’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, found some of its youngest supporters as the first day of school kicked off with Olympic fever through games and activities in the Sochi public schools.

Starting the day with lessons in Olympic values, Sochi schoolchildren were treated to games and discussions throughout the day that highlighted the city’s Olympic aspirations and the incredible legacy for its residents. With 78% of the local population already behind the Bid[1], it was a fitting start to a Sochi school year that will end with the International Olympic Committee’s decision of a host city in July 2007.

Still in a preliminary phase, the Olympic lessons are being considered as part of a wider cross-curriculum program to promote Olympic values and Russia’s strong sporting heritage. Sochi’s Bid for the Olympic Winter Games continues to inspire the city’s children who already dream of becoming Olympic champions in their hometown.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 Bid CEO, commented: “We cannot stop Olympic fever in the schools! Students love learning about the Games and are so excited about the prospect of hosting the Games in their city. Their enthusiasm for the Bid strengthens our commitment to providing them Russia’s greatest sporting legacy, the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.”

Sochi administrators took the opportunity to speak to the students about the Games and explained how the city is preparing itself for the IOC’s Evaluation visit next year.

Present were Irina Badoyan, Head of the Education and Science Department of Sochi, Yuri Barzykin, Deputy Head of the State Duma Tourism and Business Committee, and Valery Podpovertny, Head of the city parliament.

On the day’s “Olympic” agenda, primary school students participated in games with the motto “From Playing Olympics to Participating in the Olympics”, and secondary school students discussed how Sochi’s development could be facilitated by hosting the Games and how to turn their city into an ecologically friendly resort. Sochi administrators were on hand to challenge the oldest students in an “Olympic Rings” trivia contest. The day ended with a trip to Sochi’s Metrevelli Stadium where teams from different schools competed in races to mark the official beginning of the school year.

[1] According to Report by the IOC Candidature Acceptance Working Group / XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014.