Vancouver Signs Over Winter Games to Sochi

24 February 2010

Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov (l) and Dzhambulat Khatuov, the first vice-governor of the Krasnodar Region

Although the Vancouver Games have not ended, the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia are in the news. At a special ceremony Tuesday, Vancouver and British Colombia officials signed over the Winter Games to officials from the Black Sea resort. Sochi hopes to use Vancouver's experience to help it stage the games in four years.

In a special ceremony in downtown Vancouver, British Colombia Premier Gordon Campbell signed a cooperation agreement with Dzhambulat Khatuov, the first vice-governor of the Krasnodar Region, which includes Sochi.

The agreement is an Olympic tradition - the host city of the current games agrees to share knowledge and expertise with the next host city. Khatuov said Vancouver has set a high standard for Sochi to imitate.

"And I would like to assure you that your support and assistance, coupled with our effort -- effort of the region at large and the city of Sochi - we will run the 22nd Winter Olympics not simply duly but at the sky-rocket level," said Dzhambulat Khatuov.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says that his city has run fantastic games, and that he is sad that they have to end. However, he expressed confidence that Sochi will also be a great host.

"It will be hard to let go of these games," said Gregor Robertson. "We are enjoying them so much here. We will savor the remaining days. But I do look forward to handing the flag to his worship. the mayor of Sochi on Sunday."