Russia has taken the decision to open out to the world through sport.

“Hosting your Forum in Sochi is a milestone on our way” declared Vitaly Mutko, Minister of Sport for the Russian Federation as he awarded Joël Bouzou, President of Peace and Sport, with the Medal of Honour for his Contribution to the Development of Physical Culture and Sport

Sochi, Russia, 31 October, 2012 – A press conference launched the 6th edition of the Peace and Sport International Forum in Sochi, Russia, in the presence of Vitaly Mutko, Minister of Sport for the Russian Federation, Anatoly Pakhomov, Mayor of Sochi, and Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport.

A few hours before the Forum officially opened, Vitaly Mutko presented Joël Bouzou with the highest distinction granted by the Russian Ministry of Sport: the Medal of Honour for his Contribution to the Development of Physical Culture and Sport. This is an expression of the importance that Russia places on hosting the Peace and Sport International Forum, which has become an essential event in the global agenda.

“There are a lot of platforms for peace promotion“ said Vitaly Mutko, “but the idea of using sport to make a diplomatic effort for peace comes from an organisation based in Monaco under the Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II.” 

He continued: “Russia has made the decision to become more open through sport and hosting the Peace and Sport Forum in Sochi is a milestone on the way. We are proud to host this event, an initiative made possible thanks to our excellent collaboration with Joel Bouzou.”

Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport said: “As I am speaking, representatives from the United Nations, International Sports Federations, the International Olympic Committee, major non-governmental organizations as well as many sporting legends are making their way to Sochi to express their support for the same idea: sport can change the world.

He added: “The presence here in Sochi of all these stakeholders involved in the peace movement is no coincidence. If we selected Sochi to host our Forum, it’s because more than a hundred and twenty communities cohabit here in peace and harmony. Another reason that we chose Sochi is because the city is preparing to open the next Olympic Truce for the 2014 Winter Games. And this evening at the Opening Ceremony, alongside H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, I will have the pleasure of welcoming a huge Russian sports celebrity, Yelena Izinbayeva, who embodies both the universal values of the Olympic movement and the commitment of our Champions for Peace; she is a magnificent reflection of Russia in full evolution.”

Anatoly Pakhomov, Mayor of Sochi, said: “Sport-minded organizations have changed our world, our country, and our city: Russia attaches great importance to sport in the same way as the Peace and Sport International Forum. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi in 2014 has led us to build many infrastructures including highways, three new schools, seven kindergartens and eight physical education schools. Sport is the catalyst for this great momentum which propels us into the future.”

About the Peace and Sport International Forum

Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Peace and Sport International Forum is a unique annual summit bringing together hundreds of guests and delegates. Hosted for the first time outside Monaco in the future Olympic City of Sochi, situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the 6th edition of the Peace and Sport International Forum promises to be more multinational than ever. More than 500 delegates, speakers and panellists from 70 countries will enrich the 3 days of debates. Among them: heads of states, political decision-makers, legendary athletes committed to sport and peace, and leading figures from world sport governance. The Peace and Sport International Forum 2012 takes place between31 October and 2 November.

Press Contact
Caroline Duboc, Peace and Sport Forum Media Officer
M: + 79298543597 – E: carolineduboc@gmail.com
www.peace-sport.org