OREANDA-NEWS. March 23, 2012. Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has signed agreements with leading Russian retailers enabling them to sell Sochi 2014 licensed merchandise in outlets across Russia. Leading Russian companies from the sports, children’s merchandise and automated trade (vending) sectors - LLC "Sportmaster", LLC TS "Begemot Hypermarket" and LLC "Uvenko Invest” have become the official operators of Sochi 2014 retail sales. Following this agreement, Sochi 2014 licensed merchandise will be available in more than 1,000 shops and sales offices across 70 regions of the country. The retail price of these products starts from USD 2 USD. This will make it possible for nearly every Russian family to get its own piece of Olympic memorabilia.

The President of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, The General Director of LLC "Sportmaster" sports goods chain, Leonid Strakhov, The Head of children's produce chain, LLC TS "Begemot Hypermarket", Sergei Kiselev and The General Director of LLC "Uvenko Invest", Sergei Kornienko took part in the signing ceremony.

According to the agreement, LLC "Sportmaster” will open 300 departments in its shops across Russia, selling the complete range of official Sochi 2014 merchandise.

In “Begemot” children's toys hypermarkets and “Begemotik” toy shops 400 departments across 7 federal districts of Russia will be opened.

The “Uvenko Invest” Company will organize the sale of the licensed products in 400 vending machines in the sales offices of the 2014 Games' Partners.

The President of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, noted:

"Sochi 2014 licensed products will be available in more than 1000 shops throughout Russia. Every Russian family will be able to own “a part” of the Olympic Games and contribute to the first Winter Games in the history of our country."

The General Director of LLC "Sportmaster", Leonid Strakhov, observed:

"The fact that “Sportmaster” has signed a licensing agreement with the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and obtained the rights to become the official Sochi 2014 retail operator, represents a new milestone in our activities and will help to develop mass sport and a healthy lifestyle in Russia! We have no doubt that the Sochi 2014 licensed merchandise will prove to be a great success amongst Russians and visitors to the Games. We will do our best to make Sochi 2014 merchandise accessible and popular across all Russia”.

The Head of children's produce chain LLC TS "Begemot Hypermarket", Sergei Kiselev, said:

“It is very important to us that "Begemot Hypermarket" retail chain has been awarded the status of the official Sochi 2014 retail operator for children’s merchandise. It is our mission to provide customers with high-quality, certified and affordable toys. By purchasing these toys, people will be able to feel that they are a part of the 2014 Games in Sochi – an event of great importance for our country”.

The General Director of LLC "Uvenko Invest", Sergei Kornienko, added:

“In 1980 the whole country watched as Mishka the Olympic Bear was carried by balloons into the sky. Today, more than 30 years later the brand of the Moscow Olympic Games is still cherished and recognized. I am sure that the symbols of the Olympic winter Games in Sochi will become equally popular around the world. For “Uvenko” it is a great honor that Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has entrusted us with helping to popularize the concept and the brand of the Games. Vending machines with Sochi 2014 merchandise will be installed in the offices of the Sochi 2014 Games Partners. It will help to feel the atmosphere of the Olympic celebration right now”.