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2014 Winter Olympics More Important Than Russian GP - Official

The Russian Grand Prix might wait a year until opening its doors to the world of Formula One. Although initially projected for 2014, it is understood that the contract between the city of Sochi and Bernie Ecclestone includes a one-year postponement in case the organization of the 2014 Winter Olympics will in any way affect the well-going of the F1 event.

Sochi Olympics' organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko once again bought assurances that hosting the Winter Olympics will be the top priority of the Russian resort city for 2014, while Formula One will come second.

Talking to the media last weekend, Chernyshenko revealed he held talks with the state leaders and “if there should be some minor concerns (about) clashes with these two projects, then - in accordance to the contract between the host organisation and formula one owners - the first (F1) competition could hold on until 2015.”

The Olympics will come first,” concluded the Olympics' organizing committee chief.

In early December, some fears were raised on Sochi's capability of hosting both events of such magnitude in a single season. Back then, Sochi mayor Anatoly Pakhomov assured the media a Russian GP delay to 2015 is not projected. As a matter of fact, he insisted the track and F1 complex will be up and ready a full year before the official date of the event in 2014.

So far, Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin did not issue any comments on the matter, but the same Chernyshenko confirmed for insidethegames.biz that he also regards the 2014 Winter Olympics as main priority for Sochi.
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