OREANDA-NEWS. September 25, 2012. In the framework of the XI International Investment Forum "Sochi 2012", the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has signed agreements with Coca-Cola and Ingosstrakh, for them to become Presenting Partners of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay.

The Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay, which will be presented by Coca-Cola and Ingosstrakh, will begin on October 7th 2013 and is expected to be the longest national Olympic Torch Relay in the history of the Winter Games.

Coca-Cola, the longest continuous partner of the Olympic Games, supported the staging of the Olympic Torch Relay for the first time in 1992. The Olympic Winter Games in Sochi are the ninth Olympics at which they will act as a Presenting Partner of the Relay. Coca-Cola will create a celebratory atmosphere over the course of the entire route of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay, organizing entertainment, sports and music events.

Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee Partner, Ingosstrakh, also has Olympic experience: it was the main insurer of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Now, Ingosstrakh will provide the organizers and participants of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay with the opportunity to insure vehicles and freight, as well as personal health and life. In addition, Ingosstrakh will stage entertainment events in cities, in which millions of Russians will be able to take part.

The signing of the agreements took place during the ceremony for the completion of construction of one of the new hotels being built on the Olympic Park. The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Kozak.

The President of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, noted:

"We are delighted that market leaders like Coca-Cola and Ingosstrakh are supporting the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay. Coca-Cola is not only the longest continuous partner of the Games but also one of the most loyal Partners of the Olympic Torch Relay. And thanks to Ingosstrakh we can be sure that our Relay will be reliably insured. I'm delighted that we've been able to assemble such a strong team!"

Zoran Vucinic, Coca-Cola, President of Russia, Ukraine & Belarus Business Unit said:

“The agreement signed today is of great importance to us, and Coca-Cola is proud of the opportunity to once again be a partner of the Olympic movement and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. We are honored to bring the Olympic Torch Relay to Russia and to give the chance to every person in this great country to become a part of history. The Olympic Flame is a continuous symbol of unity, equality and optimism, which brings people together. And at Coca-Cola we are pleased to be able to carry this symbol throughout the country, igniting the hearts of millions people all around Russia”.

Aleksey Sokolov, Ingosstrakh, Deputy Director General, said:

"The Olympic Torch Relay is a significant event for Russia. It shows that the Olympics are more than just a sporting event and that the Games bring people close together. We are glad to be able to support the Olympic Torch Relay, and to enable all those wishing to become part of the forthcoming Olympics to feel its unique atmosphere, be inspired by its positive energy, and get warmed-up for the Olympic competitions and some magnificent sporting victories. We will involve our regional offices all over Russia in this project and will invite all of our colleagues, partners, clients, and all Russians to take part in the Relay .Some may even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to carry the Olympic flame. What is particularly pleasing is that this is the second time in its 65-year history that Ingosstrakh has supported the Olympic Games in our country. 32 years ago, the company was the general insurer of the 1980 Olympics. We carefully safeguard our traditions and are sure that this time, we will once again be able to carry out all the obligations we have taken on in good faith, and give people a party that they will remember for many years to come."