November 25 - Sochi, the host city for Russia’s first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014, will stage the 2012 Peace and Sport International Forum, it was announced today.

 

The decision was announced at the opening in Monaco of the 2009 Peace and Sports International Forum, whose patron is Prince Albert.

 

The Monaco event was attended by a high-level delegation from Sochi 2014, including Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak.

 

Kozak said: "Today I am proud to confirm that the Russian Government has made an important decision to host the Peace and Sport Forum in Sochi in autumn 2012.

 

"Held in the Olympic host city, the event will reconfirm our commitment for supporting the ideals and values of the Olympic Movement and will result in an increased awareness of and cooperation for the ideals of the peace and sport.

 

"The Russian Federation accepted the proposal from His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and the President of the organization Joel Bouzou to stage the Peace and Sport Forum in Sochi – the host city of the XXII Olympic and XI Paralympic Winter Games – with huge excitement.

 

"I am confident that holding such an important international event in the host city of the 2014 Games will promote Olympic and Paralympic values across political and business circles both in Russia and internationally.”

 

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, was part of the high-level official delegation from Russia participating in the 2009 Peace and Sport Forum.

 

He said: "We share the International Olympic Committee’s view that sport can facilitate dialogue between different communities and be a catalyst for mutual understanding.

 

"For example, we are actively encouraging dialogue between cultures and nations through Sochi 2014's social media platforms, where we hope to help build greater understanding, friendship and respect across borders in line with the Olympic values and the ideal of peace."

 

Bouzou said: "Peace and Sport is delighted to take the Forum to Sochi.

 

"Over recent years, sport has done a huge amount to bring people from East and the West together.

 

"Therefore taking the Forum to Russia is a natural decision for us to take."