SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The head of Russia's ski federation said she wants the Sochi round of the Alpine skiing World Cup to continue beyond the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Svetlana Gladysheva, president of the Russian Ski and Snowboard Federation, said she wants Sochi to continue hosting a round of the World Cup beyond the Olympics, instead of simply serving as a test event for the 2014 Games in Sochi, RIA Novosti reported Friday.
"Getting a firm foothold in the calendar will be difficult, but we will attempt it and work for it," Gladysheva said. "These competitions are very necessary for us. They generate great interest within our country. With time, I think, these events will draw a sizeable number of spectators."
Gladysheva said Sochi has the facilities to compete with other potential host cities including Chamonix, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Kitzbuhel.
"The organization is at the top level, for sure. The people who've worked on the preparation have done everything to the highest standard," she said.
