Sochi 2014 Finds Growing Public Support For Russia’s Bid to Host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Sochi, Russia, July 25, 2006 – A recent survey conducted by the independent All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, WCIOM, showed Russian support for Sochi’s Bid to host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games climbing to 63% of the 140+ million population. The survey came just weeks after the International Olympic Committee chose Sochi as one of three Candidate Cities in the race for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

The extensive WCIOM survey, conducted between July 8th and 9th, 2006, polled 1600 respondents in 153 settlements of 46 Russian regions. The poll found that 79% of those interviewed were aware that Sochi had passed through the IOC cut procedure and an impressive 63% of respondents said they considered the Olympic Games in Sochi to be “the most important event for the nation.” The percentage of national support has steadily increased from 53%, polled in November 2005 in a survey commissioned by the Bid Committee.

News of the WCIOM survey has lent momentum to the Sochi 2014 campaign, still in its initial stages. With the national campaign barely underway, Sochi 2014 was proud to learn that 88 million Russians are already behind the Bid and consider it a national priority. Sochi’s Bid has already benefited greatly from the tremendous support of the Russian government and President Putin, who is known to enjoy skiing in Sochi. In addition, 78% of local Sochi residents are in favour of hosting the Olympic Winter Games in their hometown, according to an IOC poll conducted earlier this year.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 CEO, said of the survey:


“The WCIOM survey has shown just how many Russians already dream of hosting the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Of course this is just a start, but these numbers are very promising so early in the campaign. Our team is as always committed to doing our most to make that dream a reality.”