Sochi, the host city of Russia’s first Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014 became the focal point for international media when it played host to Executive Committee meetings of both the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and European Sports Press Union (UEPS).

Taking place from November 12-15,  2009, the delegates were taken on a tour of the Sochi 2014 Coastal and Mountain clusters where sports and infrastructure venues are already under construction. These included the Bolshoi Ice Palace, which will host ice hockey, and the Sochi Olympic Skating Center – the stage for figure skating and short track speed skating in 2014.

The region’s infrastructural transformation was also showcased through the Adler – Alpika-Service combined rail and road tunnel. Delegates toured the Gazprom Resort which will host cross country ski events, and the Base Station of Roza Khutor, the inspiring setting for snowboard, alpine and freestyle ski competitions.

During the meetings, Sochi 2014 President and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko updated the AIPS and UEPS representatives on progress in Sochi 2014 preparations.