Russia is already reaping the benefits of developments in the southern city of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said on Monday.
"Fundamental new engineering and road works are already noticeable in the city; Sochi is becoming a centre, where green standards have been introduced and new environmental conventions have been adopted," Kozak said at an International Olympic Committee (IOC) conference in the host city.
He said that by 2014, the city would be fully accessible to disabled people and would have new standards of quality, service and hospitality.
"The Olympic Games present a unique opportunity for the host country to run its own programs for developing physical culture and high achieving sports," head of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov said.
Current IOC President Jacques Rogge thanked Russia for its preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and for heeding the IOC's advice on developments.
Ahead of the conference Rogge visited the Olympic construction site and expressed confidence that Russia would easily rise to the challenge of hosting the Winter Olympics.
SOCHI, June 7 (RIA Novosti)
