Sochi (Russia) and Monaco, 18 February 2011 – Sochi, Host City to the first Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games on Russian soil in 2014, will also host the Peace and Sport International Forum in 2012.

The Host City contract was signed today in presence of the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Kozak, «Sochi 2014» President and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko and Governor of Krasnodar Region Alexander Tkachev by Anatoly Pakhomov, Mayor of Sochi, and Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport.

During the signature ceremony, which took place in the newly opened Roza Khutor mountain resort, Anatoly Pakhomov, Mayor of Sochi, declared: “We are proud to host an event of such prestige in Sochi, thus reiterating our commitment to supporting the values and ideals of peace disseminated by the sports world and the Olympic Movement.

Sport is one of the best vectors for rapprochement, mutual comprehension and peace that mankind has invented. The 6th Peace and Sport International Forum in Sochi will spread this message with conviction to young people the world over; particularly in Russia, but also in the Caucasus region, in Europe and in Asia.”

Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, commented: “Peace and Sport is delighted to export its International Forum for the first time to Sochi in Russia. Our mission, through the Forum, is to raise awareness among political and sports leaders about the unparalleled capacity of sport to create a true culture of peace. For this, we must be in places where our voice is heard. Russia plays and will continue to play a pivotal role in international relations during the 21st century. And Sochi, with its
100 different nationalities which coexist in harmony, host city to the next Winter Olympics, is a flagship of what sport can accomplish to unite populations. Organizing the Forum in Russia, in Sochi, is a natural choice for us.”

Since its creation in 2007, the Peace and Sport International Forum has each year joined together the world elite of decision-makers in politics, sport, the private sector and civil society from all five continents, as well as many field practitioners, around a common objective: working for sustainable peace in the world by making sport the axis of concerted policies.

Placed under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, in a neutral and independent environment, this unique summit encourages high-level dialogue and meetings to develop effective partnerships and use sport as a vehicle for stability, dialogue and reconciliation in areas in crisis across the globe.

The last edition of the event, which was held in Monaco in December 2010, brought together more than 500 decision makers from 95 countries.

The 6th edition to be held in Sochi in 2012 will be the first time that the Forum takes place outside the Principality of Monaco.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

PEACE AND SPORT

Valérie Amant
+33 (0)6 83 37 66 21
press@peace-sport.org
www.peace-sport.org

Sochi 2014
+74959842014
media@sochi2014.com