IOC chief hopes Russia president’s welcoming remarks will be without political context

By Lusine Shahbazyan

SOCHI. – I hope there will not be any political context in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics.   

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stated the aforesaid at Friday’s press conference in Sochi, Russia, the NEWS.am Sport special reporter informed from the “capital city” of the 22nd Winter Olympics.

“The Olympic games have nothing to do with politics. I will follow everything.

“In line with the IOC regulations, he can only say one sentence with a political context in his welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony. 

“I impatiently will await today’s opening ceremony,” Bach stated, in particular.  

The opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics will be held on Friday, and it will start at 20:14 (8:14pm), Armenia time.

According to tradition, the leader of the host country formally declares the games open.

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