Olympic Torch Relay holds in Daghestan

Daghestan has hosted the Olympic Torch Relay of the 22nd Olympic Winter Games Sochi-2014. The Olympic symbol was brought today from Astrakhan to Daghestani capital on the plane on the 113th day the relay.

By 12 o'clock, the flame in an oil lamp was brought by the flamekeeper to "Anji -Arena" in a special motorcade as scheduled. On the way to the stadium, the motorcade was accompanied by two dozen Daghestani bikers and horsemen on horseback dressed in national costumes.

At the entrance to the arena, the Olympic flame was met by the delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Karibov. On the Olympic-decorated stage, Anatoly Karibov congratulated Daghestanis with the arrival of the Olympic flame.

"The Olympic flame’s journey across Russia symbolically unites different regions making them closer to each other, it allows us to discover the beauty and uniqueness of our country. This momentous event will cover the whole territory of our motherland. Today, Daghestan has the honour of hosting the first ever Russian Olympic Torch Relay of the 22nd Olympic Winter Games Sochi-2014. This is really a big event. I am confident that the arrival of the Olympic flame in Daghestan capital was a great holiday for all Daghestan people,"- he said congratulating Daghestanis on the relay opening.

Then, torchbearers ran in groups of 2, 3, 4, or 5 accompanied by their assigned alternate torchbearers. The torchbearer route was accompanied by presentation of each participant around the stadium. There were 67 torchbearers in Daghestan Olympic Torch Relay. They are well-famous athletes, coaches, wheelchair users, public and political figures.

Olympic freestyle wrestling champion Khadjimurad Magomedov completed the torchlight procession. Having run as far as 50 meters, he and Daghestani Head Ramazan Abdulatipov attended the ceremony of lighting the Olympic flame bowl set on the stage.

"The Olympic flame is the flame of hope, prosperity, friendship and unity of our country. Daghestan is hosting the Olympic flame. This is the first time after a 34 –year recess Russia has hosted the Olympic flame - we, the Russian Caucasus, will be home to the Olympic Games. Long live the Olympic flame, Olympic Russia, and Olympic Daghestan,"- said Ramazan Abdulatipov after lighting the bowl.

As soon as today, the Olympic flame will travel from Makhachkala to the Karachai-Cherkess Republic.