world atlas

Sorry. I want to post 5 images per post but the forum system merge all my posts in one post. unfortunately I can't do anything about that !

2018 FIFA World Cup Host Cities Celebration

Samara: World Cup 2018 Stadium to Cost $320m Authorities in the Russian city of Samara are earmarking $320 million for the construction of a 44,000-seater arena for the 2018 World Cup. 16:20 05/10/2012 MOSCOW, October 5 (RIA Novosti) Authorities in the Russian city of Samara are earmarking $320 million for the construction of a 44,000-seater arena for the 2018 World Cup. The central Russian city with a population of 1.2 million was among 11 to make the final list of host cities announced last week by FIFA and Russian organizers. All of the 12 stadiums needed for the tournament require constructing from scratch or dramatic refurbishments to fall into line with FIFA standards. Those costs were included into the total World Cup cost of $19.2 billion as announced by Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko last week. Samara is likely to host group stage matches at its stadium, to be built on an island in the Volga River. "We will announce a tender to undertake the pre-project documentation for the stadium bowl itself and the infrastructure, including access roads," the regional government quoted vice governor Alexander Nefedov as saying. "The total amount of project work for the first stage will cost around 800 million rubles ($2.5 million)," he said. Total spending on the stadium will amount to 10 billion rubles ($320 million), Nefedov said. Some urban planners were skeptical about the possibility of constructing the stadium on an island in the Volga because it is a long way from the airport and there could be problems developing transport infrastructure, as well as the possible demolition of a number of historical buildings. The 2018 World Cup is to take place in Moscow, which will host the final at Luzhniki stadium, as well as St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Saransk, Samara and Nizhny Novgorod. Earlier this week, authorities in Saransk declared they would need $1.9 billion for the tournament, while officials in Yekaterinburg put the figure for their city at over $3 billion. http://en.ria.ru/spo.../176425569.html Saransk to receive $2 billion transformation for 2018 World Cup Friday, 05 October 2012 By David Gold October 5 - Saransk in Russia is gearing up to be transformed for the FIFA World Cup in 2018, with $2 billion (£1.2 billion/€1.5 billion) set to be invested in what is the smallest city hosting matches during the tournament. The figure being invested is a tenth of the overall budget for the World Cup, which Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, also the chairman of Russia 2018, revealed had doubled at the weekend. The city, which has a population of 300,000, and was one of those uncertain to be selected for the World Cup prior to last Saturday's (September 29) announcement by FIFA. However, it beat Krasnodar and Yaroslavl to win the right to host matches. "It's not only Saransk that will be transformed, but the entire republic," said a statement from the Government of the republic of Mordovia, of which Saransk is the capital. "The sources of finance will be the federal and regional budgets and also private investment." The investment will transform all federal highways, upgrade rail infrastructure and the city's airport – which will require a temporary terminal. The upgrades are planned to help World Cup commuters travel to Moscow in five hours by rail. Vladimir Volkov, the Governor of Mordovia, said: "The town is well arranged, the people are very hospitable. "Economy-class student housing, a stadium, all this will appear for the World Cup." Saransk is also constructing a new 45,000-capacity stadium for the tournament, which will reduce in size after the World Cup. http://www.insidewor...n-for-world-cup FIFA World Cup 2018: Volgograd fans to taste Watermelon Honey October 5, 2012 The Voice of Russia The beautiful city by the Volga River will have a host of activities for football fans and other visitors during the World Cup. Volgograd is one of the host cities of the FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the summer of 2018 in Russia.. Source: AFP/East News Volgograd is one of the host cities of the FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the summer of 2018 in Russia. Preparations for the championship have already begun. The city authorities are busy developing plans for a “fans’ city”, where people will be given the chance not just to relax, but also to get acquainted with the rich culture of the Lower Volga region. The city, on the bank of the River Volga, is being built to impress both fans and participants in the championship not only with its amazing landscapes but also with a high standard of organisation. Construction of the Victory (Pobeda) stadium, which will be the venue for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is to begin in the near future. It will be capable of holding 45 thousand spectators. In addition, a fan zone will be created on the bank of the Volga River, the largest river in Europe. According to the plan, the city’s central streets will become pedestrian zones during the matches. Chairman of the Committee for the Preparation and Holding of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in the Volgograd Region, Igor Kozlov says. “Transport infrastructure will be seriously reorganised. A fan-zone will be constructed in the natural amphitheatre between the upper and lower terraces of the embankment in the centre of the city. And from there, a walking route to the stadium will be laid, where fans will be able to rest and take part in sports. In the centre, at a distance of 4-5 km, there will be a space, where fans can spend free time and visit the stadium.” According to the Organising Committee’s plan, in between the matches, tourists will be able to get acquainted with the rich history of the city on the Volga River. It has changed its name three times: first it was Tsaritsyn, and in Soviet times it became Stalingrad. It was also the scene of a decisive battle in which Hitler’s troops were defeated in 1945. After that the city was literally razed to the ground. Of all the historic buildings, only one 18th century Orthodox Church survived. However, many natural parks and even caves once inhabited by hermit monks can be found in the suburbs, their original appearance still preserved. By the way, Volgograd also has its own culinary history, guide, Galina Gordeeva says. “We have our own mustard oil. Colonists brought it to the Lower Volga region from Germany in 1765. They came as missionaries and one of them bred a hybrid of grey mustard. And they began to make oil, from these seeds, which has now became an integral part of our lives. In the past, we used to cook a watermelon dessert called ‘norbek.’ It is watermelon syrup that is boiled down until it’s reduced to the consistency of honey.” There are still six years to go for the final of the FIFA World Cup 2018, but the local authorities are already preparing the infrastructure for an influx of guests. Five-star hotels and budget mini-hotels are being built throughout the city; projects of bypasses and car parks are also underway. Expansion of the international airport will soon get underway too. By the way, you can get from Volgograd to Moscow in an hour and a half by plane, or you can take a river cruise. And though going by road will take a few days, tourists doing so will have a chance to visit at least a dozen Russian cities. http://indrus.in/art...oney_18143.html

Tokyo 2020: Thousands turn up for music commemoration with 33 Olympians The Olympic concert beautifully twinned music and sport / Tokyo 2020 / Photo Kishimoto Sports Features Communications October 5 - The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra brought music, culture and sports together in Tokyo on October 4th for an evening of celebration of the Olympics. The concert featured famous classical music played to accompany highlights from the 2012 Olympic Games in London projected on a large screen. Tokyo Philharmonic conductor Yukio Fujioka led his orchestra in a series of popular classical melodies and famous movie theme songs. Meanwhile, the London medalists got to see their performances on the giant screen behind the orchestra. The concert was held at the Tokyo International Forum. The Forum is being put forward as the weightlifting venue in Tokyo’s 2020 Games plan presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Thousands of people turned out for the show, which underscores the city’s commitment and passion to win the bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Thirty-three medalists from the London games came to participate and celebrate. The concert is an annual event hosted by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) every year since 1997. Several Japanese medalists were interviewed during the concert. Akiko Adachi played on the 2012 Paralympic Games women's gold medal goalball team. “I used to play the piano when I was a child and have had a passion for music ever since, so hearing this wonderful music in person today is a truly amazing experience for me,” she said. Ryota Murata, the men’s boxing middleweight gold medal winner in 2012 said, "Looking back at the Olympic Games with today's music, I was able to see the Games from a different look this time. I realized once again how great the Olympics are, and I get excited just imagining the possibility of Tokyo hosting the 2020 Games." The evening was a definitive effort by the JOC to demonstrate their ability to mix culture with sports which is the main part of the cultural Olympiad. By showing the island nation’s passion for sports and ability to come together in good will and harmony, the Japanese Olympic Movement hopes the IOC will give the nod to the Tokyo bid this time. The IOC meets next September to decide who will host the 2020 games. Tsunekazu Takeda, IOC member and president of the both the bid and the JOC said, "As a magnificent synthesis of sport, art and culture, the Olympic Concert is an opportunity for all of us-athletes, officials and citizens- to reflect on our passion for the Olympic Movement and its power to unite the world as only the Games can. "Tokyo 2020 and its millions of supporters across Japan rejoiced in this celebration of the universal Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect. "Japan would be deeply honoured to carry on this tradition by lighting the Olympic Torch in Tokyo for the 2020 Games." Tokyo is running against Istanbul and Madrid to host the summer Games. http://www.sportsfea...th-33-olympians

well in article dated in april 2011 they say the logo will be unveiled in the second half of 2012 . I don't know if it's still exist or if they changed their plans here is the article: UEFA EURO 2016 organisational structures set up Published: Thursday 21 April 2011, 13.00CET The French Football Federation has hosted the first meeting of the UEFA EURO 2016 steering group which brings together key stakeholders in the organisation of the event. The organisational guidelines for the final round of the 2014–16 UEFA European Football Championship were presented today at the first meeting of the UEFA EURO 2016 steering group, held at the headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF) in Paris. The steering group will bring together the key stakeholders in the organisation of the event: UEFA, the FFF, the French government and the host cities. It will ensure a regular exchange of information between these stakeholders, deal with strategic or sensitive issues connected with the organisation of the event, and, if necessary, discuss and propose solutions. The eight-member steering group will be chaired by Jacques Lambert, former CEO of the organising committee for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and of the FFF. The other members will be the president of the FFF, the French sports minister, representing the government, a representative of the host cities (to be designated at a later stage, once the final selection of host cities has been made) and four UEFA representatives (two members of the UEFA Executive Committee, the general secretary and the deputy general secretary). Michel Platini, the UEFA President, will regularly take part in the meetings and work of the steering group. UEFA, which holds all the competition rights, and the FFF, which, in particular, is responsible for the safety and security of the event, have set up a joint venture, EURO 2016 SAS, to which they have delegated responsibility for the operational organisation of the event. EURO 2016 SAS is a company under French law, with the legal form of a simplified joint stock company, owned 95% by UEFA and 5% by the FFF. Its registered head office is in Paris. Its expenses will be financed entirely by UEFA. UEFA and the FFF have designated Jacques Lambert as president of the company. A CEO will be appointed at a later stage to manage the company's operations. UEFA will also manage all UEFA EURO 2016 revenue and cover all organisational expenses. It will assume all the economic risks of organising the event. This economic model replaces the traditional model whereby operational and financial responsibility for the organisation of the event is delegated to the host national association which, as a result, had to assume the risk of deficit. During its first meeting, the steering group discussed the following points: general organisational structure; the mission of the steering group; and the progress of stadium projects, in view of the appointment of the host cities, which the FFF has to propose to UEFA shortly. In addition, the steering group agreed on the milestones in the general organisational countdown to UEFA EURO 2016: • Second half of 2012: Official logo launch • February/March 2014: Qualifying round draw • September 2014: Official mascot launch • March 2015: Start of ticket sales • December 2015: Final round draw • June/July 2016: Final round The next meeting of the steering group will be on 8 September 2011. ©UEFA.com 1998-2012. All rights reserved. http://www.uefa.com/... steering group

Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg to host matches in 2018 FIFA World Cup finals By David Gold September 29 - Fans attending the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup could spend whole days or more travelling after the confirmation tonight that Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg are among the 11 cities chosen to host matches. Also selected to host matches were Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Moscow, Kazan, St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saransk and Volgograd. Moscow will have two venues which means that there will be 12 stadiums hosting the 64 matches. Yaroslavl and Krasnodar were the two who missed out, with Saransk, Volgograd and Rostov-on-Don the other cities who came into this evening unsure if they would receive the right to host matches. Kaliningrad's battle to stage games was helped in part by Franz Beckenbauer, President of the Germany 2006 World Cup and a former member of FIFA's ruling Executive Committee, who came on board to assist them with promoting their bid. Located between Poland and Lithuania, Kaliningrad is disconnected from the rest of Russia and its selection along with Yekaterinburg in the east means the World Cup will span the whole of the European part of the country. But it also means, with 2,500 kilometres between the two cities, that travelling between them could be an arduous task. It takes approximately 24 hours just to get from Yekaterinburg to Moscow, unless the new high speed rail network Russian Railways have planned is constructed. However, there is uncertainty at present over whether Russia will go ahead with its plans to create a high speed rail network connecting the host cities. Funding for the project is not included in federal spending plans for the next three years. The new rail network would have cost R5.6 trillion (£112 million/$177 million/€141 million), with 70 per cent due to be funded by the Russian state. Transport was identified as the biggest weakness of Russia 2018 by FIFA during the World Cup bidding process, when they beat England and joint bids from Belgium and Holland and Portugal and Spain. The issue will be offset to some extent by the clustering concept, with four different clusters to reduce travel time between venues. Russia will be aiming to keep teams within one or two clusters, rather than sending them across the country during the group stage of the tournament – unlike 2014 hosts Brazil. The first cluster is in the north, and consists of Kaliningrad and St Petersburg, and the second will be Moscow and the central region. The third is the Volga River cluster running from the centre to the south of Russia, which includes Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Saransk, Samara and Volgograd. The southern cluster will be made up of Sochi and Rostov-on-Don, and then there is the stand alone city of Yekaterinburg in the east. The confirmation of the 11 host cities was the first major landmark for Russia 2018 following the award of the World Cup to the country in Zurich in December 2010. The announcement was made live on television, on Russia's Channel One, on their "Tonight" show, and came three months after a delegation from FIFA and Russia 2018 visited all of the prospective host cities to inspect their facilities and potential to stage matches during the World Cup. Speaking prior to the announcement, FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured above) praised Russia's preparations thus far, saying: "The selection of the host cities is a very important step and it shows that here in Russia and in Moscow, we are already prepared to start. "And it is the first time that the World Cup will be staged in Eastern Europe and naturally the first time we are in Russia. "I am happy that that the youth in this room and in Russia are happy to stage the World Cup! "It is important, we go with the World Cup around the world, we have been in Europe and the Americas, in Asia, South Africa, soon to Brazil. "But now we go to Russia! "We are convinced it will be a great success, because not only you are behind it, all the footballers here, the Duma, all are behind this World Cup. "I have to make a compliment to Russia, and the local Organising Committee for the professionalism for how they have started to work...you are much advanced." Blatter's words reflected FIFA's confidence, and probably relief, at the solid progress of Russia's preparations for 2018, given the problems that they have faced in Brazil ahead of the next World Cup in two years' time. Russia still has a sizeable task on its hands though, with each stadium being used either being renovated or built anew. It was already known that Moscow would host matches, with the new Spartak Moscow stadium confirmed as the venue which share games with the Luzhniki (pictured above), the main stadium for the 1980 Olympics. The Luzhniki will host the final and probably a semi-final as well, but it means Dynamo Moscow's new ground misses out. St Petersburg is also set to host a semi-final of the tournament along with Moscow. The decision was made after a meeting of FIFA's Executive Committee in Zurich. Vitaly Mutko, Russia's Sports Minister ,who is the chairman of the Russia 2018 Organising Committee, as well as a FIFA Executive Committee member, was also present at the announcement along with FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke, the man effectively responsible for the tournament, and Russia 2018 chief executive Alexey Sorokin. Other guests included former England manager Fabio Capello, who is now coaching Russia's national team, and Roberto Carlos (pictured above), a member of Brazil's World Cup winning team in 2002 who is now the sporting director of Russian League side Anzhi Makhachkala. Mutko said: "The final selection of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Host Cities is an important milestone en route to hosting the tournament in 2018. "This decision launches the full-scale preparation for the FIFA World Cup in the 11 Host Cities across the country. "I believe all of them broadly represent the cultural and historical diversity of our nation. "At the same time, their energetic nature and connection with Russian footballing tradition will allow the FIFA World Cup to leave a powerful and sustainable legacy in all of them." Sochi, where the Fisht Olympic Stadium (pictured above) is being built for the 2014 Winter Olympics, will also become a World Cup venue. In ethnically diverse Russia, Kazan is the only venue in a largely Muslim region. The new venue will host football at the Summer Universiade, which is taking place in the city next year. Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, emphasised the social and physical importance of the World Cup for the country, saying: "We would like to improve the nation's health and these big tournaments are opportunities to attract people to go for sport. "It is something that really stimulates economic development. "We can invest a good amount of money into the right places, to create new jobs, infrastructure. "It is very important that this will be a good driver for our economy in the construction sector....every job can create thousands of others in other sectors." http://www.insidewor...orld-cup-finals

Krasnodar governor outraged by FIFA decision Aleksandr Tkachev, the governor of Russia's Krasnodar Region, has lashed out at FIFA, football’s governing body, for its decision against selecting the capital of his region for inclusion among the World Cup 2018 host cities. “I just met with the fans of Kuban and FC Krasnodar,” Tkachev wrote on his Twitter feed. “The occasion for the get-together was, of course, a sad one – the exclusion of Krasnodar from the list of World Cup 2018 cities. Just like the football lovers, I’m deeply angered with this decision by FIFA. It's humiliating. It makes one lose heart. We did everything we could to bring the tournament to Krasnodar. And the city was worth it. But FIFA decided differently." “I’m telling you, with the World Cup or without it – the city of Krasnodar will become the capital of Russian football. And we’ll build a brand new world-class stadium here,” he concluded. The FIFA ruling doesn’t mean that Krasnodar will fully miss out on the World Cup action, though, as resort town Sochi, in the region's far south, made it to the list of the 11 host cities. The other ten venues to stage Russia 2018 matches are Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Saransk and the country’s capital, Moscow. Model of the Krasnodar Stadium, planned to be constructed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. (RIA Novosti) http://rt.com/sport/...rldcup2018-453/

Kazan 2015 FINA World Championships Bid Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEo-mZprh5U

2018 FIFA World Cup Host Cities Official Posters Russia’s western-most city, Kaliningrad is unique. The athlete in this poster symbolizes the open spirit of the city and region, embracing both the old and the new with an eye towards the future. It is a city whose spirit is derived from the water that surrounds it, and whose soul is reflected in the football made of world-famous amber sunstone. Located 1235 km east of Moscow and situated on the beautiful Baltic Sea, the city, its people and its architecture are an historical mixture of cultures in this distinctive Russian enclave facing west. As the hometown of philosopher Immanuel Kant, the city is alive with iconic structures such as the King’s Gate, the Kant monument, Konigsberg Cathedral and Kneiphof Island. Kazan…even the name sounds magical – and it is. Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, an autonomous republic of the Russian Federation located 825 km west of Moscow. The Snow Leopard is the national symbol of the republic and is the central focus of Kazan’s poster, rising from the pitch, perched on a football. The national colours of the Tatarstan flag are included in the boards around the pitch, and the rays of sunlight reflect optimism, success and good fortune in Tatar culture. Kazan is a major centre for sport in Russia and will host the Summer Universiade in 2013. The vivid colours of red and orange represent passion, movement and expression in Russian culture. The athlete’s body in this poster is created with a traditional Russian design technique called Khokhloma. This folk-handicraft style is well known and well loved throughout Russia and abroad, and provides a sense of flowing movement and energy to the athlete. Nizhny Novgorod’s beautiful 16th century Kremlin, which sits on a hill in the city centre at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga Rivers is silhouetted in the background. Moscow is one of the world’s great capitals, rich in iconic, historic architecture, yet focused on a future that is bright and youthful. Beneath the walls of the ancient Kremlin beats a city that is second-to-none in terms of energy, style and fun. These elements are reflected in the colourful swirls on the poster. The football pitch and the giant ball demonstrate Moscow’s passion for the world’s greatest game. Just as Moscow is the heart and soul of a Russia, it is also is the centrepiece of the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM. Located in the southeastern part of European Russia at the convergence of the mighty Volga and Samara Rivers, Samara is a city famous in Russia for its passionate, love of football. This passion is reflected in the poster by the strong, colourful geometric lines exploding upward, towards the future. The traditional symbols of Samara, the Monument of Glory and the Ladya Boat, are depicted as well and the pose of the football player mimics the figure at the top of the Monument of Glory. Visitors and residents alike flock to the beaches along the banks of the Volga for fun and sun, and this atmosphere is reflected in the bold bright colours of the poster. Rostov-on-Don is a port city on the Don River, 1109 km southwest of Moscow. Horses are a powerful symbol in the city’s history as seen in the First Cavalry Army monument, forming the base of the image in the poster. The Don River, central to the city’s identity, is represented by the blue swirling “waves” under the horses’ churning hooves. Green oak branches, which mimic the colour of the football pitch, resemble, the Rostov-on-Don city’s heraldic emblem. Finally, the football includes the red, blue and orange colours of the Rostov region flag. Sochi, Russian beautiful resort on the sunny Black Sea is a city of contrasts. From the warm, seaside beaches to the heights of the snow capped Krasnaya Polyana mountain range Sochi is really a Sea-to-Sky city and experience. The poster represents a football uniting the sea and the mountains and reflective of the region’s hospitality and welcoming spirit. As the capital of the republic of Mordovia, Saransk is located where the Saranka and Insar Rivers converge, in the Volga basin, about 650 kilometres east of Moscow. The bird depicted in the poster is the “bird of creation” in Mordovian mythology, a powerful and evocative figure, symbolizing nature and life itself. The bird and the football are decorated with the traditional Mordovian pattern representing the uniqueness of the local art and crafts. The football on the poster represents the important role of the World Cup for the people of the region. Just as the city of Volgograd draws its energy and spirit from the Volga River, so does the poster. Produced in a modern, dynamic style reminiscent of today’s modern visual technologies, the poster’s colours are drawn from the river itself, the sun and the emotions associated with the game of football. The image is based on waves and movement, much like a football team in motion. The wave lifts the football above the river’s surface just as the 2018 FIFA World CupTM will lift the people of Russia’s spirit to new heights. Russia’s Crown Jewel of the north, St. Petersburg offers magic at any time of the year. St. Petersburg has inspired poets, artists, musicians and writers from its beginnings as Peter the Great’s modern window on the world. St. Petersburg’s truly unique architecture is featured on the poster, from the Saint Isaac's and Smolny Cathedrals to the Summer Palace gate and Admiralty tower. The city is known for its strong football culture and it is represented in the football on the poster. Ekaterinburg, situated near the Ural Mountains is the point where the continents of Europe and Asia meet. At the centre of the image is a “Stone Flower”; the stone is the beautiful gemstone malachite, famous to the region. The Stone Flower is also the name of a famous Russian novel by Pavel Bazhov, set in the Urals. The colours of the poster represent the Urals, the mountains and the rich soil of the region. The colour blue represents the Iset River. All of the graphical elements in the poster are without distinct or fully depicted borders, reflecting the fact that there are no boundaries for the countries that love football.

Moscow - Yekaterinburg - Nizhny Novgorod - Samara - Rostov-on-Don - Kaliningrad -Volgograd - Saransk [media] [media] the system of the forum don't help me to post all the videos. so you can watch them in youtube by the links above

Celebrations in the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Saint Petersburg: Sochi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=487qd6bVeOs&feature=player_embedded

Russia united for 2018 FIFA World Cup Host Cities announcement (LOC) Saturday 29 September 2012 © LOC The ceremony to announce the Host Cities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ took place on 29 September, and was broadcast on Russia’s Channel One TV. With millions of viewers looking on, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s Minister of Sport and Chairman of the Russia 2018 Local Organising Committee (LOC), named the 11 cities and 12 stadiums which, in six years’ time, will be hosting matches during the world’s largest sporting event. The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Saransk, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi and Ekaterinburg. It was also announced that Moscow will be staging its FIFA World Cup matches at two stadiums: Luzhniki and Spartak Moscow’s arena. The ceremony was opened by Blatter and Mutko. The FIFA President flew to Moscow specially to take part in the announcement of the Host Cities for the FIFA World Cup. It was the first time the President of world football’s governing body has paid an official visit specifically in connection with preparations for Russia 2018. “The confirmation of the host cities is our first significant step on the road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” noted the FIFA President as he addressed guests and viewers in his words of welcome. “It is very much the contribution made by the cities which determines the success of this massive sporting event. “We are looking forward to fruitful cooperation in planning for the first FIFA World Cup to take place in eastern Europe,” Blatter continued. “We’re pleased with the speed of preparations for the tournament which the Russia 2018 LOC has delivered ever since the host nation for the tournament was announced in December 2010. These sorts of achievements exemplify their enthusiasm and their responsible approach to the matter in hand.” Stars in attendance Also taking part in the ceremony were Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s Secretary General, Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the Russia 2018 LOC, Nikolay Tolstykh, President of the Russian Football Union, Fabio Capello, head coach of the Russian national team, Alexei Smertin, a former Russian national team captain, Roberto Carlos, who won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, Valery Gazzaev, UEFA European Manager of the Year 2004/05, Viktor Ponedelnik, who scored the winning goal for the USSR in the final of the 1960 European Championships, and a number of well-known Russian actors and musicians. The key role in the announcement belonged to the ceremony’s smallest participants – Maksim Shpinev and Artem Shpinev, two youngsters studying at Spartak Moscow’s football school and stars of the “Sasha, get up” video that was included in Russia’s winning bid for the right to host the 2018 showpiece. They led other participants out onto the stage and opened the envelopes containing the names of the cities. Taking part in the live broadcast were all the cities that made it into the final list of Host Cities for Russia 2018. Each time the young footballers Maksim and Artem opened a new envelope in the studio, the city which had just been awarded FIFA World Cup Host City status linked up live with the Moscow studio. The very first city to receive good tidings was St. Petersburg. At a studio on the northern capital’s Zayachy Island, which opens out onto a beautiful view of the city, renowned Russian artists and young pupils studying at one of the country’s leading football clubs, Zenit, shared their emotions. Valery Gergiev, conductor and artistic director at the world famous Mariinsky Theatre, who was involved in Russia’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, explained how he felt about the Host Cities announcement: “I come onto the stage in order to gift the audience the music of the great composers,” said Gergiev. “But ever since 2 December 2010, when I walked up onto the stage in Zurich as part of the Russian delegation to thank the FIFA Executive Committee for entrusting us with the 2018 FIFA World Cup, I have been dreaming of being a spectator, so that I can watch the virtuoso performances of the world’s greatest footballers at Russia’s World Cup stadiums. Today, that dream came a little bit closer.” In Nizhny Novgorod, people waited for the announcement of the Host Cities for the FIFA World Cup in Minin and Pozharsky Square, which is where the city's Fan Fest will be taking place in six years’ time. Thousands of local people congregated in the square to support their home town and listen to a concert given by a well-known Russian band. In Kazan, an exhibition match involving the Republic of Tatarstan’s student football league was arranged to coincide with the ceremony, which evolved into a real festival involving the whole country. Entire nation enthralled Indeed, the entire nation watched Channel One’s live broadcast on Saturday evening. Football supporters in every corner of Russia, from Arkhangelsk to Vladivostok, could feel that the world’s biggest sporting event is on its way. Igor Akinfeev, goalkeeper for the Russian national team and the first Russia 2018 ambassador, who has been preparing for his next round of crucial matches for club and country, also got involved in what was a major event. “The World Cup’s around six years away, but already we can see that football fans are starting to look forward to a major festival,” said Akinfeev. “I often travel to various parts of Russia and also abroad, and I can see how interest in Russia2018 is growing right across the world. And I’ve got this feeling of pride, because I am confident that, come 2018, Russia will stage a brilliant footballing festival!” The official posters of the FIFA World Cup Host Cities were also unveiled at the ceremony. The posters stress the individual characteristics of the cities and reflect their connection with the upcoming tournament. The official posters can be viewed on the web pages of the Host Cities under the “Russia” section at the official website. The news from Russia received a warm welcome from FIFA’s official partners and FIFA World Cup sponsors. “Coca-Cola is a long-standing and permanent FIFA partner, and has supported world football since 1974,” said Zoran Vucinic, President of Coca-Cola in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. “We are confident that our cooperation will continue for decades to come. Coca-Cola feels enthusiastic and optimistic about the 2018 FIFA World Cup taking place in Russia. We are confident that this will be one of the finest FIFA World Cups in history.” At the end of Channel One’s live broadcast of the ceremony, Mutko pointed out: “The final selection of Host Cities is one of the most important stages on the road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In taking this decision, we have started our practical preparations for the tournament in 11 Russian cities. “The cities chosen will be able to showcase in full our country’s cultural and historical diversity. At the same time, their potential, and their links with our national footballing tradition, will allow the FIFA World Cup to leave a powerful and constructive legacy.” The final list of Host Cities was approved at a session of the FIFA Executive Committee in Zurich, just ahead of the official announcement. The basis for the FIFA Executive Committee’s decision was a report on the selection procedure for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Host Cities. The report contained information on the candidate cities based on five criteria: the quality of the cities’ existing infrastructure, the extent of their socioeconomic development, their investment programmes, their vision for Russia 2018 and effective use of the tournament’s legacy. The Russia 2018 Host Cities announcement was preceded by a year of painstaking work undertaken by the Russia 2018 LOC to gather and analyse information for the report, in order to ensure that the decision would be as open, objective and balanced as possible. Start of full-scale preparations The announcement of the final list of Host Cities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup signals the start of full-scale preparations to put in place the sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure required for the tournament. Five of the stadiums nominated to host FIFA World Cup matches are already under construction – the arenas in St. Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi and Saransk, as well as Spartak Moscow’s stadium – and most of these will open to the public by 2014 at the latest. By the end of this year, a plan will have been drawn up for the construction and reconstruction of stadiums for Russia 2018. Work is already underway on a federal law for the FIFA World Cup, and this piece of legislation was recently tabled at the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. The successful staging of the most important event for the Russia 2018 LOC, in the just under two years since it was set up, paves the way to a new and important stage on the path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, on the road to an unforgettable festival for the entire football community. http://www.fifa.com/...1839/index.html Blatter: The reaction in the cities was great (FIFA.com) Sunday 30 September 2012 © LOC After the announcement of the Host Cities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, FIFA.comsummarised the quotes from a press briefing held in Moscow on Sunday. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter On organisation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup We are in a comfortable situation when it comes to the organisation of the FIFA World Cup inRussia 2018, as we are one year ahead of our schedule. This is a new approach on how we organise World Cups. We can realise two things: firstly the total support from the Government and the President of the country, this is a cornerstone to organising a World Cup. Secondly, we have professionals in charge of the organisation, with Vitaly Mutko and Alexey Sorokin. We have no doubt, that it will be a great success. What I witnessed yesterday at the announcement is something new and exceptional. The reaction in the cities was great. This is football: connecting people and bringing the enthusiasm in the regions. Unfortunately, not everybody can be happy of course, but this is also football: some win, and some lose. On the difference between World Cups Every World Cup has its own story. It depends of the characteristic of a country, how they tackle a project on the table which is not yet realised. Korea and Japan were so eager, they could have organised two World Cups. But, unfortunately, there are nowadays some white elephants and this is not what should be left as legacy. In Africa, they were dancing for one year, just because they got the World Cup, so we had to remind them to start working. Brazil is [ranked] number six in world economies, and is a country of football. When they realised they got the World Cup, they said, that they will be ready. There were some personal issues which have been solved. Now everybody is working hand-in-hand in Brazil with one goal, to deliver a great World Cup for Brazil and the fans. Russia, they started to work so hard, that’s why they are already one year ahead. I’m happy with this country where we are now. On fan behaviour in Russia (after a game had recently been called off after fan riots) Football is a mirror of society. We are now in a family of 300 million people that are directly involved in our game. All 300 million cannot be angels. In this game there is passion, and passion has no limit. This is not a special characteristic of Russia. It’s a question of education, not a question of football. The clubs must play a part with educational responsibility, you cannot give all the responsibility to FIFA. If it’s a problem, it needs to be identified and eliminated. Russian Minister of Sports and FIFA Executive Committee Member Vitaly Mutko On the task ahead Congratulations to the cities who have been approved. It should be a unique event with great heritage for our country. As of tomorrow we will be able to work on a concrete list with a dedicated programme. We have a lot of serious work ahead of us. On the exclusion of Krasnodar It’s a World Cup that will be staged in the whole of the Russian Federation. This championship should be for everyone. The decision has been taken after thoughtful consideration and after inspection visits, taking into consideration a variety of things. The championship has the wish to show the cultural diversity of the country. In 2018, everybody needs to see the new Russia in all regions. Every region should have at least one city for the World Cup. There is nothing personal in this decision, it’s based on real hard facts. It’s not a tragedy, it’s a decision based on numerical facts. Those cities will still participate in the project, for example as team base camps or where fan events will take place. We have to leave a legacy and show all the facets of our country. On the match venues We have put forward a proposal that the opening and the final will be played in Moscow, as well as the semi-finals in St Petersburg and Moscow, which has now to be decided by the FIFA Executive Committee. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke On the stadiums Certain stadiums will be built with a maximum capacity for the World Cup and a reduced capacity after the World Cup, which is important for us. The stadiums will be linked to the size of the cities. Most of the stadiums will live as a piece of art after the World Cup. This will be the legacy in Russia. CEO of the LOC Alexey Sorokin This new important phase opens new horizons for us. We now have to tackle security, accommodation and transportation. We knew we had to come up with 12 stadiums, it’s not a random decision, it was a necessity. http://www.fifa.com/...2080/index.html

because of sochi . sochi is in krasnodar region and they pick one city from the region and it was sochi

SPORTFIVE signs with ANO Sports Broadcasting in Russia for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 (IOC) 03 September 2012 SPORTFIVE announced today that it has signed a deal with ANO Sports Broadcasting in relation to media rights in Russia for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and 2016 Olympic Games. Created in December 2009 by RTR, Channel One and NTV PLUS, ANO Sports Broadcasting comprises the largest Russian public and private national broadcasters. The deal with ANO Sports Broadcasting incorporates all of the main broadcasting rights for both Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016. The rights will be exploited over a number of platforms, including free-to-air television, internet, mobile and radio, amongst others. With Russia as host country for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, ANO Sports Broadcasting intends to provide significant coverage of Sochi 2014. Live action and programming will be made accessible to viewers across the country, using multiple television channels and media platforms. The consortium’s free-to-air television channels, Channel One and Russia 1, will broadcast the key events, with further coverage offered on Russia 2 and Russia 24. There will be additional coverage on numerous pay television channels and services, as well as content transmitted via the internet, mobile and national radio. Commenting on the agreement, Vasily Kiknadze, CEO of ANO Sports Broadcasting, said, “By signing this agreement we have taken on the responsibility of providing top quality coverage of the greatest global sports event, which will be eagerly awaited by millions of Russian fans and television audiences. Our team, which will work in close cooperation with RTR, Channel One and NTV PLUS, are prepared to rise to this exciting challenge.” Sochi 2014 promises to be an exciting and top quality Olympic Winter Games. The dramatic transformation of Sochi and its surrounding region will guarantee athletes the highest level of new facilities, whilst Russia and the local population will benefit in the long-term from the enhanced infrastructure of Russia’s entire southern region, leaving behind a real legacy and positive momentum. Sochi has a population of 400,000 people and is located in Krasnodar, Russia’s third largest region. Shaila-Ann Rao, CEO of SPORTFIVE International, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this deal for Russia with ANO Sports Broadcasting, representing the principal channels RTR, Channel One and NTV PLUS. We are certain that this will provide the best possible coverage to both the Winter and Summer Games across Russia and greatly contribute to the success and excitement of the Games in Sochi.” The IOC’s decision to award sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE the media rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games in a total of 40 European territories marks a significant breakthrough in Olympic broadcast history - it is the first time that an agency has acquired the rights to the Olympic Games and is sublicensing them. SPORTFIVE has a dedicated team working on the project, located in its international head office in Geneva, close to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne. http://www.sochi2014...dia/news/58147/