Transcript:
During the interview
Question: Good afternoon, Mr Medvedev. What are your impressions of the Olympic Games? What competitions did you like best? Perhaps, some of the events made you feel inclined to take up a new winter sport? And another question. Was there a moment during the Olympics when you felt disappointed? After Plushenko’s withdrawal from the competitions and the defeat of the Russian hockey team, many felt that Russia had failed at the Olympics. What were you feeling during this time?
Dmitry Medvedev: I believe I share the feelings as the absolute majority of our nation: the Olympic Games were a brilliant success. I am proud of our country and the way everything was organised. I am proud of the Russian people’s hospitality in Sochi and elsewhere, the work done by the volunteers and, of course, the fantastic, simply fabulous performance of our athletes.
Dmitry Medvedev: "The Olympic Games were a brilliant success. I am proud of our country and the way everything was organised. I am proud of the Russian people’s hospitality in Sochi and elsewhere, the work done by the volunteers and, of course, the fantastic, simply fabulous performance of our athletes."
Saying that I was absolutely sure that Russia would come in first place in the team count would be far-fetched. We did hope that things would turn out well for us, but the reality exceeded our expectations.
There were just four Olympic Games where the host country won more medals than any other participating nation: Lake Placid, USA, in 1932; Oslo, Norway in 1952; Vancouver; and Sochi. In this sense, we are now part of the international elite of winter sports.
As for my emotions, just like everybody else’s, they took a dive after our hockey team lost. It didn’t boost our spirit at all. It was sad and painful. We couldn’t help but remember our performance in Vancouver and, in general, we couldn’t make sense of it. However, it’s not my job to draw conclusions. Let the federation and the hockey community figure out what happened. Of course, there was no despair whatsoever. Volunteers are the first people encountered by anyone who comes to a country hosting the Olympics, be it an official representative of a foreign state or a regular Russian or foreign tourist. It's no wonder that yesterday, during the closing ceremony, each time the volunteers were mentioned, the crowd roared with approval. Volunteers, with their friendly and sincere smiles and helpful directions provided in Russian, English and other languages, have contributed to creating an entirely new atmosphere in Sochi. Russians are believed to be a morose and hard people. However, the volunteers appeared to be quite the opposite. I'm very pleased to note that they were really a great help to everyone who came to the Olympics.
Dmitry Medvedev: "I was lucky to be in Sochi when the Russian athletes were winning two to three gold medals a day, not to mention other medals, which eventually lead us to this previously unattainable medal count."
I followed different competitions. Some of them in the stadium, some on TV. I liked everything, especially when our teams and individual athletes showed a beautiful and exciting performance.
The last few days of the Olympics were particularly spectacular. I was lucky to be in Sochi when the Russian athletes were winning two to three gold medals a day, not to mention other medals, which eventually lead us to this previously unattainable medal count.
Overall, everything was very beautiful. Everyone who watched the Olympics – and I spoke with various people, including my colleagues and, as they say, regular fans – everyone says they had a fantastic experience.
I don’t think I want to take up something new in terms of winter sports. I’d rather keep skiing, which I like and which might take a while to become proficient at. It’s unlikely that I will ever reach the level of Bode Miller, but being good at skiing is a nice feeling. I recommend practicing this sport, or any other for that matter. One more thing. We haven’t seen anything close to such a rise in patriotism, in the good sense of the word, such a good nation-consolidating mood, in years.
Dmitry Medvedev: "As you may be aware, I’m a fairly active user of social networks, and people often post critical remarks and say harsh things. However, 98% of reviews of the Olympic Games are positive. Of course, this means that the Olympic Games have drawn Russia together. This is their main result, and I'm very pleased with this."
As you may be aware, I’m a fairly active user of social networks, and people often post critical remarks and say harsh things. However, 98% of reviews of the Olympic Games are positive. Of course, this means that the Olympic Games have drawn Russia together. This is their main result, and I'm very pleased with this.
Question: Mr Medvedev, if we forget for a minute about sports achievements, do you think the Olympics are a profitable business? It’s no secret that a month before the Olympics, many construction companies involved in infrastructure projects faced difficulties and called on the Government for help. Will these projects pay off?
Dmitry Medvedev: You know, the Olympic Games are a challenging business. Let me remind you that not too long ago the Games were not a business at all. But the world continues to grow increasingly commercialised. The Olympics are a large-scale, expensive show. This was not our idea; these are the rules now. The International Olympic Committee has requirements.
Dmitry Medvedev: "We have invested substantial funds in sports infrastructure and the infrastructure of Sochi. I won’t go into details. I talked about this before as did my colleagues. However, I think that both the private and state-run companies involved in infrastructure development did very well and finished everything on time. Some did it faster, some did it slower and with extra costs, but they all succeeded. They still need Government support."
It is true, we have invested substantial funds in sports infrastructure and the infrastructure of Sochi. I won’t go into details. I talked about this before as did my colleagues. However, I think that both the private and state-run companies involved in infrastructure development did very well and finished everything on time. Some did it faster, some did it slower and with extra costs, but they all succeeded. They still need Government support and we should be more democratic about the loans we issued to them.
We plan to extend the interest payments on Vnesheconombank loans and take some other measures. I think all these companies worked hard and deserve Government support. With respect to direct dividends, we all understand what they are. Apart from the direct benefits to the city, there are now a huge number of sport and tourist facilities that will take maybe five or more years to pay off. But eventually, what we get is a desirable, modern resort.
A colleague from the IOC who reportedly had certain opinions (I won’t mention his name but you can guess who it is) said something I believe is right. He said, “There may be extra expenses but the Russians have done in seven years what we took 150 years to do.” And this is true. We can’t of course expect all the facilities to pay off within only a few years. But in the long-run, the goal will be achieved.
Question: Pyotr Kozlov, Izvestia. My question concerns the infrastructure.
The Olympic Games closed yesterday. The flame went out and is now leaving Sochi. So I have a question about the infrastructure. There are a lot of new facilities. However, there is no clear understanding of whether they will all be used and if so, how. Do you have a vision of how the facilities will be used later?
My second question concerns the mountain cluster. I know there have been suggestions to establish special economic areas or gambling zones. What is your idea for using this area?
Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, I have an idea. There is of course a plan and a general concept for the post-Olympic use of these facilities that has been approved. With regards to the Imereti Valley, a number of facilities will be converted into cultural venues for exhibitions and other events. Other facilities will still be used for sports, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They will remain intact.
Dmitry Medvedev: Also, some facilities will be used for children’s sports. Other facilities will still be used for sports, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They will remain intact. A number of facilities will be converted into cultural venues for exhibitions and other events.
Also, some facilities will be used for children’s sports. I even signed a resolution on establishing a children’s training centre that would consist of big and small ice rinks for hockey and figure skating so these modern facilities can be used by both professional athletes and the new generation of future champions.
Concerning the upper part of the mountain cluster, I think it has been developed into a beautiful mountain resort. Our task now is to make it popular. I’m really glad that the days the Olympics ran were sunny because now everyone knows that the weather is great in Sochi even in February. Of course, in March you will have a great time here, skiing up in the mountains or sunbathing down at the sea.
So, the mountain cluster will be used according to its intended purpose: for tourism, recreation and sport, including alpine and ordinary skiing. So, everything there should be used as intended.
Dmitry Medvedev: "The mountain cluster will be used according to its intended purpose: for tourism, recreation and sport, including alpine and ordinary skiing. So, everything there should be used as intended."
You have asked about the idea that has been raised to create a gambling zone there. I am against it. I think that we have built this beautiful ski centre and have improved the conditions for hotels so that Russian and foreign tourists will be able to come there and spend their vacations. There is no need to establish a gambling zone there. This is a quite specific kind of leisure, which cannot be combined with the rest. I believe that we are able to solve our problems, including economic ones, using these hotels, hostels, and sport facilities according to their intended purpose. It is not worth installing roulette tables and laying green felt there.
Question: Mr Prime Minister, may I ask you about our closest neighbour? In the light of recent events in Ukraine, what do you think about further cooperation in general and in the gas sector in particular? Will the agreements remain in effect that were reached during Yanukovych’s visit, in particular, on a gas discount? And will you comment on the news that former Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov is staying in Russia?
Dmitry Medvedev: First of all, all legally binding agreements will be executed, as we cooperate not with a particular group of people, particular individuals, but with the state. These are Russian-Ukrainian interstate relations. We are neighbours, neighbouring states, and this goes without saying. All signed agreements must be executed. But the point is that all the signed agreements have an expiration date. So, it is unclear what will happen, for example, in the gas sector, concerning any discounts after the expiration of this term. This issue should be discussed with the heads of Ukrainian companies and with the government, once it finally appears.
The second point has to do with intergovernmental relations. In this respect, now we have more questions than answers. In fact, today we are unable to communicate with anybody, as there is no government in Ukraine. The legitimacy of the existing authorities generates serious doubts. Anyway, this is my opinion. Some of our Western partners believe that these are legitimate authorities. But I am unaware of what constitution and what laws they are reading. I think this is some kind of mental aberration, when we call something legitimate that is essentially the result of an armed rebellion. But this is a separate issue. If we speak about our economic relations, they will definitely continue. Once again: Ukraine remains our important partner.
You have not asked me about loans, which are being widely discussed. Of course, we are ready to discuss any topics with our Ukrainian partners, but in order to do so, we need to understand with whom to discuss. If the authorities are those people in black masks and with Kalashnikov guns, it will be difficult for us to conduct dialogue with such a government. If a normal modern government is formed there, based on the Ukrainian Constitution and legislation, of course, we will be ready to resume our former relations.
As you know, following the President’s instruction, our Ambassador to Ukraine was recalled for consultations. There is no need to explain what this means in terms of international law. It means that we do not understand what is happening in the country, and there is a threat to our interests and to the life and health of our people who are staying at the embassy.
As for the second question, I do not have this information. If this information comes to light, I will comment on the situation. Anyway, any person, including the former Ukrainian prime minister, has the right to choose a place of residence.
Question: What is your attitude towards the idea of hosting the Olympics in St. Petersburg?
Dmitry Medvedev: I think it is a rare and unique opportunity for any country to host the Games, and this requires serious preparations. Of course, I love St. Petersburg. In fact, there are other cities that could host the Summer Olympics. But I think we should first deal with the upcoming sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup. It seems to me that such large countries as Russia get a chance to host the Summer or Winter Olympics every 20 years. If we meet all requirements, it's possible that we will host some major sporting events. Hopefully, we will witness them.
Thank you. Goodbye.
