Mayor of Sochi, Anatoli N. Pakhomov, and Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson shake hands after signing the protocol of intent at Robson Square.
Olympic hosts British Columbia and Russia signed a cooperation agreement at Robson Square.
BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson were joined by Dzhambulat Khatuov, First Vice-Governor of Krasnodar Region, Russia and Anatoli N. Pakhomov, Mayor of Sochi, Russia.
The 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic host leaders signed a protocol of intent benefiting both governments. The protocol will encourage economic development, growth in trade and business development.
It will also promote partnerships, cultural sport and opportunities associated with the Olympic Games.
Krasnodar’s Vice-Governor congratulated Vancouver for ‘passing the Olympic exam with flying colours’.
He told a packed audience at BCMC that the 2010 Winter Games would live in memories as an example of good practice in sporting organisation.
Today’s signing also included a protocol between the Olympic host cities of Vancouver and Sochi.
In signing the agreement Mayor Gregor Robertson promised to share Vancouver Games’ planning, delivery and lessons learned.
