Sochi 2014 launches new Paralympic Games emblem on Russia's first ever International Paralympic Winter Day

 On Dec 12 Sochi 2014 officially presented its new Paralympic brand and emblem at a press conference followed by a major event in Red Square to celebrate Russia's first ever International Paralympic Winter Day.

The President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Sir Phillip Craven, joined Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Zhukov; Sochi 2014 President and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko; Mayor of Moscow, Yury Luzhkov; Russian Federation Commissioner for Human Rights and President of the Russian Paralympic Committee, Vladimir Lukin and United Nations Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke; in Russia to take part in the brand launch and Paralympic Winter Day celebrations.


The new emblem for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games follows the same typography as the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games emblem unveiled to the world on 1 December, and incorporates the Paralympic Symbol, the three Agitos in red, blue and green, symbolizing the fact that Paralympic athletes are constantly inspiring and exciting the world with their performances - always moving forward and never giving up.

The digital nature of the emblem - with Russia's web domain address .ru - will help the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and its stakeholders to reach out around the world to new and younger audiences. The digital platforms Sochi 2014 provides will give the Paralympic Movement a different type of accessibility where information and education about the Paralympic Movement can be propelled faster around the world.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014, said:

"The new Sochi 2014 Paralympic brand and emblem will act as a gateway to the future of the Paralympic Movement in Russia. As well as by participating in major events such as Paralympic Winter Day, by leveraging the massive rise in social networking through sites such as Facebook and Twitter, Sochi 2014 can be the catalyst for greater awareness, networking and sharing of information about values of the Paralympic Movement within the Russian digital space. In particular, we believe this will bring enhanced opportunities for integration with IPC content on platforms like YouTube and ParalympicSport.TV."

"As a result, Russia will become more aware of people with a disability and their achievements and in turn Russia will become more accessible. The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games brand will allow the IPC and the Russian Paralympic Committee to drive change in Russian society and create a global best practice model for the future."

Paralympic Day Gala Opening Ceremony

Russia's first International Paralympic Winter Day was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Zhukov.

Welcoming guests for the event, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, Sir Philip Craven, said:

"The Paralympic Movement has come a long way, and today the athletes are ready to show all spectators here on Red Square, just what they are made of. We, at the International Paralympic Committee constantly portray our four values of Courage, Determination, Inspiration, and Equality. Today we will see where they come from, and the impact that they just might have on everyone. It is not only for the athletes to show - everyone has the chance to test their own skills throughout the day. I hope that the celebration of Paralympic Winter Day will become a tradition in Russia and a further catalyst for positive change in the country."

Throughout the day, visitors to Red Square were able to discover more about the Paralympic Movement and its history, and had the chance to experience what the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will be like, in a special exhibition pavilion with interactive sports' presentation.

Interactive exhibits showcased plans to create a barrier-free environment for the 2014 Games, and presented cutting-edge technological innovations designed to improve life for the 13 mln people in Russia living with a disability.

The memorable day also saw performances by speed skaters, Russian popstars and figure-skaters, as well as an Ice Sledge Hockey match. All guests and participants also had the opportunity to take part in workshops on Ice Sledge Hockey, perhaps generating new athletes on the road to stardom.

Chernyshenko added:

"Today is a historic day! International Paralympic Winter Day demonstrates our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for 13 millions of people in Russia living with a disability. Achieving this will require a combination of the correct attitude and the correct infrastructure, and Sochi 2014 is working tirelessly to provide a showcase of both for the benefit of the region, Russia, and the world."

Paralympic Day also incorporated an awards ceremony, named Back to Life. The awards were organized by the Russian Paralympic Committee to recognize athletic achievements in both national and international competition during 2009. Winners in ten categories were announced, each reflecting a particular achievement or quality.

New Sochi 2014 Ambassadors

The Sochi 2014 Ambassador programme welcomed three new members today, who will each become a 'face' and key advocate of Russia's first Winter Games.

Special diplomas were presented to top Russian fashion model, Natalia Vodianova, who has fronted campaigns for Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, and is also a keen philanthropist; legendary Cross-Country skier and quadruple Paralympic champion Sergei Shilov; and singer Diana Gurtskaya.

The trio joins 2008 Ice Hockey World champion and two-time NHL MVP, Alexander Ovechkin; the Russian Ice Hockey Team; reigning Olympic Bobsleigh champion, Aleksander Zoubkov; the Russian Women's Curling Team; double Olympic Gymnastics champion, three-time Ice Hockey World champion, Sergey Fedorov; Svetlana Khorkina; 2006 Olympic Freestyle Skiing medallist, Vladimir Lebedev; famous Alpinist, Kazbek Khamitsaev; internationally acclaimed conductor, Yuriy Bashmet; world-famous conductor, Valery Gergiev; 2009 Ice Dancing World champions, Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin; and 2008 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dima Bilan; as Sochi 2014 Ambassadors.

Sochi 2014 Ambassadors are a selection of sporting and cultural icons who now play a key role in promoting sport and healthy lifestyles in Russia and spreading the Olympic and Paralympic values around the world.

New General Partner of the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games

To mark International Paralympic Winter Day, Tier One Partner of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, MegaFon, was also announced as an official partner of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. The agreement was signed granting MegaFon status of General Partner of the XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi until the end of 2014, General Partner of the Russian Paralympic Committee until the end of 2016, and General Partner of the Russian National Paralympic Team for 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Sochi 2014 Paralympic General Partners already signed up are Aeroflot, Rosneft, Bosco Sports.