VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
“We need to train a strong competitive national team for the world cup. This laborious work should begin at the youth and junior team levels. We still have seven years to go so it will be these sportsmen who will be playing for Russia at the world cup”.
“I’m convinced that the Russian Football Union needs to actively interact with the public and football fan associations and organisations. We have given a promise to FIFA and the entire international community to hold the world cup properly, based on the principles of tolerance and benevolence. And we must deliver on this promise”.
“The FIFA World Cup is much greater than simply a sporting event. This month-long football marathon leaves a significant cultural and material heritage which will be used by the country and the people in decades to come. I’m referring to the aggressive development of the sport, transport and hotel infrastructure, the creation of new production facilities and jobs, new international and personal ties. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world will come to see a modern, dynamically developing and open Russia”.
“Physical education needs improving, and teachers should take advantage of new methods to make lessons interesting and useful. For these purposes, it is necessary to introduce new programmes and modernise schools’ sports infrastructure. A construction plan for a new school building must include a gym and a swimming pool. We also need to expand the network of fitness complexes and junior sports clubs.”
“You can take my word for it that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be up to the highest standards. New modern stadiums and facilities will be built in time, and to perfection. We are eager to do our best to secure the comfort and safety of our guests. We also have a couple of offers. You know about it. Visa-free entry and free of charge trips between cities to watch football matches. Besides, you can get to know Russia, a unique country with a long history and rich culture. Not bad, not bad at all.”
“First of all, we need to show that Russia is an open country, that it is open to the whole world. People will understand what Russia is when they come here. There are still a lot of stereotypes left over from the past. But the more contacts we establish, the faster these stereotypes will dissipate.We can move this process forward by hosting major sporting events such as the World Students Games, the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Moreover, they will ensure that, at least in Europe, there are not any visible or invisible Berlin Walls.”
“We ask all our friends to support us in our World Cup bid. Germany is among the first of our friends. <..> But we understand that FIFA members must make this decision on the basis of many factors that come into play regarding holding the World Cup in one country or another, and proceeding from the strategic aim of developing football worldwide. I believe that the fact that Eastern Europe has never held a world championship is an important motive for deciding in Russia's favour.”
“Millions of people across Russia eagerly followed the World Cup, empathising with you and the teams. An estimated 6 million Russians play football, but the number of football fans is certainly much higher. That is why we decided to put our bid in to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In addition, hosting such an important sports event would boost sports infrastructure and football infrastructure in any country, and maybe even more so for Russia. As I understand, this is certainly in line with FIFA's philosophy with regard to organising this kind of event.”
“I hope that our Olympic athletes won't let us down, and we'll get some really good results. But sport is sport. These are open completions, and as you know anything can happen in sport: tragic defeats and glorious triumphs. In any case, we must do our best to create the best conditions for training, and then we can expect good results and victories.”
“I have already mentioned the importance of technical, scientific and medical support for the athletes. All the recent advances should be applied here, while keeping in mind that honest competition and drug use are incompatible. In Vancouver, the Russian team gave us no cause to doubt its strict adherence to this rule. Let's keep it that way going forward.”
