Russians hoping Putin will lead World Cup bid
Reuters - Wednesday 17 March 2010, 17:25
MOSCOW - Russian officials hope Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin will lead his country's bid presentation
for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, a senior government member said
on Wednesday.
"You did get an invitation to the ceremony. We hope that you
will be able to attend," First Deputy Prime Minister Igor
Shuvalov, speaking at a meeting of top government officials, was
quoted as telling Putin by local media.
The Russian delegation will go to FIFA's Zurich headquarters
in December when football's world governing body will choose the
hosts for both events.
In July 2007, Putin, then Russia's President, played a key
role in the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to
award the 2014 Winter Games to the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
"All of us still remember the work you did during our bid
presentation to host the 2014 Olympics in Sochi," Shuvalov said.
Putin, speaking at Wednesday's meeting, urged the ministers
to speed up work on the World Cup project which was unveiled in
October last year.
"You had better start now, don't wait until the (necessary)
paperwork arrives," Putin told Shuvalov.
Shuvalov said Russia's detailed bid book would be sent to
FIFA on May 14.
Russia is bidding against Australia, England, Japan, United
States, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal for the rights to
host the 2018 or 2022 finals.
Indonesia, Qatar and South Korea are bidding for the finals
in 2022 only.
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