Moscow, 13 August 2004: As part of Moscow’s bid to secure the 2012 Olympic Games, Moscow City Mayor Yuri Luzhkov will join the heads of the Russian Olympic Committee and the Federal Agency for Physical Culture at the Opening Ceremonies of this year’s Olympic Games in Athens.

Alongside him at the ceremony will be heads of various Russian regions, including Saint-Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko.

Mayor Luzhkov told a press conference that he and the other leaders are going to Athens to support Moscow as the candidate city to host the XXX Olympic Games in 2012.

Leonid Tyagachev, President of the Russian Olympic Committee, said that about 3,000 of the country’s sports fans will also be in Athens to support Russian athletes. He indicated that if the Russian team is successful, Russian President Vladimir Putin may fly to Athens in time for the Games’ Closing Ceremonies.

‘A lot depends on what his schedule will look like at the time,’ said the Russian Olympic Committee President. ‘I know that he is eager to support our athletes.’

For further information contact the Moscow 2012 Media Response Bureau.

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