(ATR) Here is a press release from Sochi 2014 announcing support for the city's Olympic bid from cross-country skier Olga Zavyalova.

Olga Zavyalova (Sochi 2014)

Sapporo Gold Medallist Backs Sochi 2014

Russian cross-country star Olga Zavyalova announced as Sochi 2014 sporting ambassador

Sapporo, Japan, March 5, 2007 – Cross-country skiing World Champion, Olga Zavyalova, has announced her support for Sochi 2014 - Russia''s Bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games - following her extremely successful performances at the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Sapporo, Japan.

At the Championships, Zavyalova won gold in the ladies’ 2 x 7.5km cross country pursuit event on February 25th in a thrilling finish, only 0.5 seconds ahead of Czech skier Katerina Neumannova. Zavyalova also took silver in the 10km race on February 27th, this time finishing behind Neumannova.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1972, Zavyalova became World Champion for the first time in 2003 by winning gold in the ladies 30km cross-country race at the World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

Olga Zavyolova said:

“I was thrilled to win the World Championship in Sapporo and to offer my support to Sochi 2014. Russia has produced some of the world’s greatest athletes in Nordic Ski disciplines, but when it comes to equipment and facilities would benefit on a grand scale from hosting the Winter Games. I''m confident that the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi would be a once-in-a-lifetime Games and leave an amazing legacy for winter sport at both elite and grassroots level.”

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sochi 2014 CEO, said:

”We are extremely proud of the support Olga Zavyalova is lending to our Bid and pay tribute to her inspirational performances at the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships here in Sapporo. Olga joins numerous Russian and international sports stars who are backing our quest to host the greatest Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in history and inspire millions of youngsters to takke up winter sport.”

Senior members of the Sochi 2014 Bid Committee are currently in Sapporo to explore from the former Olympic Winter Games host''s organising experience and support the 20 Russian athletes competing at the FIS event.

During their visit, Sochi 2014 will gain insight from the General Secretary of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Hitoshi Sasaki, and study the Sapporo Nordic Ski World Championships to inform its own Nordic Ski event plans for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

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