(ATR) On a festive evening at the Bolshoi Ice Palace in Sochi, spectators were treated to a dazzling ice show while Russian President Vladimir Putin and IOC President Jacque Rogge spoke at a ceremony marking one year to go until the Games.
Following seven colorful acts of skating including performances by Irina Slutskaya and Olympic champion Aleksey Yagudin, among other Russian icons, Putin, Rogge, Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko and IOC Coordination Commission Chair Jean-Claude Killy took to the stage for the official ceremony.
Putin addressed those in attendance at Bolshoi and millions more watching at home on Russian State Television: "In February of 2014 in the city of Sochi, the promises that we made will be accomplished. In Sochi and in the surrounding regions, work is going on new to the entire history of Russia and new to the history of the Olympic Movement.
"Every new Olympic Games draws upon the experience of its predecessors, and I would like to thank our partners from the IOC and the organization of Vancouver, which have assisted us with the preparation for these Games," said Putin.
The IOC President followed Putin: "The Olympic Winter Games are coming to Russia for the first time. The eyes of the world will soon be on Sochi and I have no doubt that Sochi will be ready.
"This sports-loving nation plunged into the task of hosting the Games with total enthusiasm, and the results are easy to see. Visitors to Sochi will enjoy world-class sports venues, modern infrastructure, spectacular mountain scenery and welcoming traditional Russian hospitality.
"I want to particularly thank President Putin for his strong and unwavering commitment to the success of these Games," said Rogge.
Following a speech by Killy, Rogge and Chernyshenko proceeded to offer the first invitation to the 2014 Games to Canada, accepted by Canadian NOC President Marcel Aubut. Invitations to Brazil, South Korea and Russia followed.
Earlier in the evening, a video was played on the big screen above the Bolshoi ice showing Sochi scenes along with President Putin speaking in English while welcoming the world to the Black Sea resort.
In a lighthearted and hospitable manner, Putin made numerous welcoming greetings with a smile such as, "No traffic jams, I promise" and "Real snow is guaranteed in Sochi for the new Russia. The choice of Sochi is the best choice."
Thursday evening’s show brought together more than 300 participants and told the story of the preparations for the Games from the moment the city was elected in 2007 to today. The celebration concluded with a fireworks display.
Nine acts, which were performed to the scores of world famous maestro Yuri Bashmet and his symphonic orchestra, included tributes to the history of the Winter Olympic Games, construction workers in Sochi, the various new Olympic venues, athletes and their Olympic moments, the beginning of ticket sales in Sochi and a final segment emphasizing the Sochi Olympic slogan, ‘Hot, Cool, Yours’.
Rogge, who will end his 12-year tenure as IOC President in September, concluded his address wishing the best to Russia: "To the volunteers and all the people of Russia who have supported the Games, I say, "Thank you. Spasiba Bolshoi.
"The world is coming to Sochi and Sochi will be ready to welcome the world. Spasiba."
Written and reported in Sochi by Brian Pinelli.
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