SOCHI, February 03. /ITAR-TASS/. Athletes performing at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi will come to love the Russian resort city on the Black Sea as they will find all competition venues suitably located within a walking distance, the head of the Olympics governing body said on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach said that since his arrival to Sochi last Friday he spoke with many athletes, managers and sports officials and may conclude that the Olympic venues and service are of a high quality.

He said athletes particularly enjoyed the proximate location of the competition venues and about 80% of athletes can reach the stadiums by walking.

The IOC president also praised security measures at the upcoming Olympics, to be held between February 7 and 23, and reiterated that the 2014 Winter Games would be attended by a record number of national Olympic committees.

Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev repeatedly stated that Russia took unprecedented measures for security provision at the Winter Olympics, which are followed by Winter Paralympics on March 7-16.

The upcoming Games in Russia are the first for Bach in the capacity of the IOC president, after he replaced Jacques Rogge in this post in September of 2013.