SOCHI, Russia ● The newly built bobsled and luge track for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi has been cleared to host international events, after the president of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation certified it Friday.
Ivo Ferriani signed the official certificate during a meeting with Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko after visiting the Russian Cup at the track.
The first international competition to be held at the Sanki Sliding Center will be the ninth and final stage of the World Cup in February.
“Now the bobsled and luge track is ready for international competition,” Ferriani said. “I’ve seen great organization at the Russian Cup.”
The track is the world’s longest at 1.8 kilometers, and had its first test event in March at the Russian Championships.
The Sochi 2014 Games begin in February 7 of that year. Organizers say facilities are more than 70 percent complete, and that all major construction should finish next year.