Sochi will be soliciting ideas for the flag handover ceremonies for the 2014 Olympic Games. The nationwide competition is to find the best ideas for the handover of the Olympic and Paralympic flags to Sochi during the Vancouver 2010 Closing Ceremony.
The Closing Ceremonies of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games consists of two key sections, according to a press release. The first is the official protocol which is regulated by the International Olympic Committee(IOC). Vancouver's mayor will return the flag to the IOC president who will then pass it on to the mayor of Sochi. This will be followed by a performance during which Sochi 2014 will put on a ten-minute display showcasing the host city to the Olympic Movement.
The Sochi 2014 competition will decide this section of the ceremonies. "Given Russia's passion for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, we wanted to give everybody the opportunity to participate in the planning of these key ceremonies. The flag handover sections can have a significant impact on perceptions of the Sochi Games between 2010 and 2014. This competition offers us the best means of consulting with the Russian people on presenting our nation to the world," said Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and CEO of the Sochi 2014.
The closing date for entries is December 25.