Sochi 2014 Honors New Athlete Ambassadors after ISU World Figure Skating Championships Successes

29 March 2009, Los Angeles, USA: Fresh from their medal-winning performances at the ISU (International Skating Union) World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles, USA, two elite Russian athletes were honored by Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko, as ambassadors for Russia's first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Pairs gold medalists Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin were presented with special Sochi 2014 certificates immediately after wowing audiences at the competition's renowned Staples Center venue.

Epitomizing Russia's passion for Winter Sports, Mr. Chernyshenko arrived for the presentation directly from SportAccord in Denver, Colorado, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed satisfaction with the progress made in its Games preparations. The visit gave Sochi 2014 further insights into staging world-class competition, while also providing opportunities to revel in the memorable performances of competitors from Russia and across the globe.

Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said:


"The support of Russia's athletes for Sochi 2014 continues to be overwhelming. I am delighted to present special awards to these inspirational Russian skaters, and to announce them as new Sochi 2014 ambassadors. Their successes have come through the dedication with which we are building towards an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will live long in the memory and provide an incredible sporting legacy for Russia and the entire Olympic Movement."

Oksana Domnina, ice dancing gold medalist and 2014 ambassador, said:

"To win a medal at my sport's World Championships and then be honored as an ambassador for my nation's first ever Winter Games has made this a day I will always remember."

"We are honored by this and are so excited for Sochi 2014," added Domnina's partner, Maxim Shabalin, ice dancing gold medalist and Sochi 2014 ambassador.

Dmitry Chernyshenko added:

"Experiencing top class Winter Sports such as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships continues to inspire Sochi 2014. We are intent on absorbing the expertise of the global sporting community wherever possible, and this visit has therefore been of immense benefit coming off the back of our latest positive feedback from the IOC at SportAccord."

The most prestigious of the ISU's championships, the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships are taking place between 22 and 29 March. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dancing.

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