It is the sixth edition of the prestigious forum but the first time ever it has been hosted outside Monaco.

Prince Albert (pictured top) is one of several International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in attendance along with Germany's Thomas Bach, Rene Fasel of Switzerland, CK Wu of Chinese Taipei, Anita DeFrantz of the United States, Ugur Erdener of Turkey and Habib Macki of Oman.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event were several senior figures including Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and the President and founder of the Peace and Sport International Forum Joel Bouzou.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and President and founder of the Peace and Sport International Forum Joel Bouzou helped open the 2012 edition of the event in Sochi

"Holding the 6th Peace and Sport International forum in Sochi is a wonderful and completely natural choice," said Bouzou, who won an Olympic bronze medal at Los Angeles in 1984 as part of France's modern pentathlon team.

"Now more than ever, Russia is led by the idea of spreading humanitarian ideals through sport and the sports movement.

"Sochi shares the idea that sport can provide a dialogue between different societies, and also enable a better mutual understanding.

"Together with the Olympic Movement, which is gaining momentum in Sochi and inspiring communication among various peoples and cultures, the Peace and Sport International Forum is helping to strengthen mutual respect and friendship among countries in the spirit of Olympic values and the ideals of peace."

As well as the Deputy Prime Minister, the Russian delegation also features Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Alexander Zhukov, Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko and Sochi 2014 President and chief executive Dmitry Chernyshenko.

The forum will share ideas about the significant contribution that sport can make in the peace process and peace-making projects around the world.

More than 500 delegates from 70 countries have been invited to the gathering, which will be covered by more than 50 Russian and international media outlets.

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