The International Olympic Committee elects Sochi as the host city of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in 2014 -

Sochi 2014 Chief Executive Officer Dmitry Chernyshenko today thanked the International Olympic Committee after winning the race to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014.

The vote went to the 2nd round and Sochi eventually came through after Salzburg was eliminated in the first round, followed by Pyeongchang in the second.

"We are overjoyed! This is one of the most important days in Russia's history," said Chernyshenko.

"It is with a huge emotion that we are expressing our gratefulness to the International Olympic Committee and the whole International Sports Movement. You have made today a historic choice. You have decided to play a historic role in Russia's future. The Games will help Russia's transition as a young democracy. Millions of lives are going to be transformed by the fantastic power of the Olympic Games.

"Our thoughts are immediately going to the 130 million Russians who have passionately supported Sochi 2014 in this extraordinary 2-years journey. Thank you. You have demonstrated to the entire world that Russia has become a strong, passionate and welcoming member of the community of the nations.

"The Olympic family has placed its faith in Russia to deliver the 2014 Winter Games and we will not let them down. The Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will mark the history. This will be a memorable event for the whole Olympic Family, the athletes and the spectators.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the bid, including President Putin, Sports Minister Vyacheslav Fetisov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government, Alexander Zhukov, Viktor Kolodyazhny Mayor of Sochi, Alexander Tkachev - Governor of the Krasnodar Region and the rest of our team and ambassadors who have all played such an integral role in helping Sochi achieve our dream.

"I also want to express my congratulations to all the other candidate cities, who have mounted exceptional campaigns."

"Russia will now put its greatest strengths at the service of the Sochi 2014 Games. Sophisticated, ambitious and visionary, Sochi 2014 will truly be a 21st Century Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games".