By the end of 2012 all sport venues are set to be completed for Sochi 2014, and next year the focus will switch to operational readiness, Chernyshenko told insidethegames.

"Our focus for 2013 will be on operational readiness, ensuring that we have learnt lessons from the official test events programme which we will be holding in December of this year and that we are 100 per cent prepared for hosting the Sochi 2014 Games.

"There is still much work to be done but our projects are well on track.

"Our venues will be ready in an unprecedentedly short space of time so the main challenge is not construction.

Construction area of the Olympic Park in the Black Sea resort of Sochi

"Last year we tested mountain venues.

"The official Sochi 2014 test events programme begins this winter and this will provide us with a fantastic opportunity to test not only the venues but also spectator flows, guest services and training facilities.

"This will be a valuable experience for staff, officials and volunteers in running world-class competitions."

Chernyshenko will be a key speaker at this summer's Global Sports Industry Congress at Russia.Sochi.Park in Kensington Gardens, London.

The event takes place on August 2, during the Olympic Games, and focuses on Russia this year and the numerous major sports events coming to the country in the years to come.

With the 2018 football World Cup and the World Ice Hockey Championships among the major events coming to the country, Chernyshenko is keen for Sochi to serve as an example to them.

"The Winter Olympic Games in Sochi have become the catalyst for great change, both within and to the world's perceptions of Russia, leading to a number of other international events coming to Russia over the next six years.

Venues hosting the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi will be completed well ahead of schedule

"In Sochi we're already seeing the amazing transformation that sport and hosting major sports events can bring.

"The Games are a powerful catalyst to both develop key infrastructure and make changes in Russian society.

"We've dedicated ourselves to thinking long-term, to focus on a true Games legacy that will not only rejuvenate the city of Sochi, but will also contribute to the economic, cultural and environmental development of the Krasnodar region.

"The Games will make it possible to create new standards in ecology, construction, barrier-free environment and corporate governance.

"In other words, Sochi will become an example to other Russian cities and the world.

"The 2014 Winter Games are the start of a very exciting time for Russia: the future is looking bright."

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