The city of Sochi will celebrate, Wednesday, October 30, the symbolic date of 100 days before the opening of the 2014 Winter Games. Where is the preparation? What are the hottest files? Russian Sports Minister Vitali Mutko responded to questions from AFP.
Where are the preparations 100 days before the opening of the Sochi Games?
Vitali Mutko : All sports infrastructures are almost ready. Now, we are at the final stage of road and interchange developments. Major construction work on accommodation and hotels is underway. We're on schedule, and I don't see a problem. On January 7, all sports venues will be entrusted to the Games organizing committee.
NGOs denounce the treatment of immigrant workers on construction sites in Sochi, who complain in particular of not being paid, and the increase in expulsions before the Games. What do you think?
Quite frankly, I think that such a problem does not exist. Accommodation conditions, logistics, food, work organization, salaries, everything is going normally. There are no major problems in this area, at least we are not aware of them. As for immigrants, expulsions, that's a whole other issue that is not linked to the Olympic Games in Russia. This is not a problem specific to Russia. In many countries there are people whose papers are not in order, who do not have a work or residence permit. Migration services are doing their job.
Can we say that the deadly attack committed by a suicide bomber in Volgograd on October 21 is a major warning for the Olympics after threats from Islamists in the Caucasus?
An investigation is underway. Investigators must clarify this, to find out who is behind this attack and for what purpose it was committed. This is of course a horrible act, perhaps not entirely related to the Olympics. But unfortunately, it is a threat not only to Russia. What rebels or terrorists do is a threat to the whole world. When it comes to the Olympics, security is obviously a big priority, we take important measures to ensure that athletes, spectators and visitors feel completely safe.
Are the secret services really going to monitor all telephone and internet communications in Sochi during the Olympics?
I cannot comment on this. This falls within the competence of the special services. But I think that in this area, the rights of citizens will be respected.
Criticism against the Russian law on homosexual “propaganda” in front of minors, considered discriminatory, is still strong in the West. What do you think?
Really, I don't understand, there are so many problems in the world and we focus on this subject by giving it a political aspect. In reality, this law is not directed against (homosexuals). The law as it is presented in the West does not exist. These are amendments to the law on the protection of minors against certain types of information. This is about protecting them from propaganda against drugs, alcohol, non-traditional orientations (homosexuality, editor’s note). It is not directed against people in non-traditional relationships. It does not in any way infringe their rights.
But it risks provoking demonstrations during the Olympics…
Who will demonstrate? Sportsmen? They have a busy schedule. Demonstrate against what? I don't understand.
