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Prince Albert II of Monaco says he will be happy to attend Sochi Olympics

Prince Albert II said ahead of his visit to Russia, that he would be accompanied by his wife - Princess Charlene, who like he himself competed in Olympic Games in the past

MONACO, October 2 (Itar-Tass) - Prince Albert II of Monaco, an enthusiast of the Olympic Movement, said in an interview with First Deputy Director-General of Itar-Tass Mikhail Gusman that he would be happy to visit Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Prince Albert II said ahead of his visit to Russia, that he would be accompanied by his wife - Princess Charlene, who like he himself competed in Olympic Games in the past. “We have a lot of common with Charlaine: commitment to values of sports, the Olympic Movement. This brings us together. Sport is very close to our hearts and we often attend sports competitions, international and national,” he said.

“Of course we will be in Sochi,” Prince Albert II stressed. “I will go there before the competitions begin, as prior to the opening ceremony there will be a session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Sochi,” he added. “We will be very happy to go to Sochi, to see all that will be organized there. I will have such an opportunity also owing to the fact that I am a member of the IOC. I am sure these will be remarkable Games,” he summed up.

The Kremlin press service reports that on October 4 Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive the prince of Monaco, who will be in Russia on an official visit. On the same day the two heads of state will take part in a ceremony to open an exhibition of Olympic torches from the personal collection of Prince Albert II.

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