Valuev: “The Sochi Olympics are a diamond in the diadem of major sporting events in Russia”

Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Nikolai Valuev called the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games the main sporting event held in Russia.

The Winter Olympics were held in Sochi in 2014; at the end of the tournament, Russia won first place in the medal standings.

— What historical significance do the Sochi Olympic Games have for our country and for the whole world?

— First, the whole world saw that Russia could host the Olympic Games, because before that the Games were held in the USSR in 1980. And not only achieve it, but organize it more powerfully, better, unite entire cities , after which the infrastructure can continue to be used, as is currently the case. Sochi, although traditionally considered a tourist town, was so run down and run down that Russians came there only because they couldn’t vacation abroad. This concerned the environment, quality of services, infrastructure and convenience.

Today, Sochi is a place of attraction for all Russians in sports, tourism and recreation, which not only attracts people, but also creates jobs and generates considerable gross product. The country makes money after the Olympics from the facilities built. The city and its surroundings were renovated and a ski resort of a class that had never existed before either in Russia or in the USSR appeared.

We had a multitude of sporting events: the Spartakiad in Kazan, the World Swimming and Athletics Championships, then the World Football Championship, where again a large number of infrastructure, sports facilities and tourist attractions have been built in many cities of Russia. The Sochi Olympics are the diamond in this entire diadem of major sporting events.

— There is a popular opinion that the Sochi Olympics are the best in history. Do you agree?

– Yes I agree. The subsequent Olympics in Pyeongchang and other cities did not reach the level of organization and everything else.

— Which victory in Sochi do you remember the most, who were you more worried about than the others?

— It was a very powerful race carried out by Legkov, the Russian podium. In general, there were many very memorable victories, for example those of the “new” Russians: Vic Wild and Viktor Ahn. After that, there was also the Paralympic Games, where there were also many events, but traditionally we don’t talk about them much. But the Paralympics in terms of medal standings were even more powerful than the Olympics, Valuev told .