Putin opens first Winter Olympics facilities in Sochi

Moscow, Jan 2 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin today opened new Krasnaya Polyana ski resort, one of the first complexes for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

''The new complex will offer real competitive advantages over foreign ski resorts,'' Mr Putin said while inaugurating the new centre.

The facilities at the complex currently include ski-lifts, shops, cafes, ski rental and parking. Hotels and luxury accommodation have also been built.

Marvelling at the centre, Putin said, ''It is a quality project, built in line with the schedule, with all environmental requirements observed, which is most important.'' ''I am sure Krasnaya Polyana will prove that here in Russia, we are capable of building sports centres no worse than in the West,'' Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

The second stage of construction, to be completed by 2011, will add the Olympic ski stadium and a further 15 more kilometres of ski track. The resort will be able to host up to 8,000 people.

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