SOCCER-RUSSIA/WORLD CUP-ST PETERSBURG Residents of Russia's St Petersburg welcome World Cup 2018 winner's trophy

Record ID: 146509

  • Title: SOCCER-RUSSIA/WORLD CUP-ST PETERSBURG Residents of Russia's St Petersburg welcome World Cup 2018 winner's trophy
  • Date: 18th July 2015
  • Summary: ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF MEDIA TAKING PHOTOS OF TROPHY TROPHY / SIGN READING (English): '2018 FIFA WORLD CUP WINNER'S TROPHY' MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIA 2018 CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ALEXEI SOROKIN, SAYING: "The draw goes on with a motto 'A dream is being born here', that is a dream of the Russians that the World Cup will happen in our country, a
  • Embargoed: 2nd August 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAA9YKUO8BUD6A62REZEC2C8AV2
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The trophy to be awarded to the winners of the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament was put on display in Russia's northern city of St Petersburg on Saturday (July 18).
    As the shiny golden statue was displayed, the chief executive of Russia 2018, Alexei Sorokin said, that it had a symbolic meaning, just a week before the draw for the World Cup takes place in St Petersburg next Saturday (July 25).
    "The draw goes on with a motto 'A dream is being born here', that is a dream of the Russians that the World Cup will happen in our country, a dream of the organisers to make the best World Cup, and of course a dream of the soccer players to hold the trophy in their hands as a result of the final part of the World Cup," Sorokin said, adding that touching the trophy was a privilege of the victors only.
    "Only the winners of the final part of the World Cup can touch the trophy, only soccer players. We, the ordinary people, cannot touch the cup, this is a tradition," he said.
    A long queue of soccer fans, longing to take a selfie with the major award of the World Cup, filled the central square of the city.
    "How long did we stay in the line? Two hours, I guess, to make one photo," said Marina who dared a 300 km drive from the city of Pskov to see the trophy. However Mikhail, her companion said they were not at all disappointed.
    "I am happy that I took a picture with this trophy," he said, "We are very happy that our country will host the World Cup."
    The trophy was on show behind glass, and some doubted it was genuine.
    "I hope it is a genuine one, but not a copy," said Vyacheslav, "FIFA gives the teams only copies, and leaves the genuine (trophies) in the office right after awarding, as far as I know."
    Others said they were happy to participate in the event.
    "I have crazy emotions, I am in awesome mood. The weather is excellent. And life is excellent all in all," said Veronica.
    Russia won the right to host the World Cup with a bid promising to build six new stadiums, hotels, training grounds and health facilities. Costly airport renovations and high-speed rail links are also needed to ease travel between the 11 host cities.
    Before the new government decree, the World Cup organisers had already axed plans to build 25 hotels, cut the number of training grounds and reduced the capacity of some of the venues to save on building costs.
    Building materials are now being sourced locally from Russian providers because of the rouble's decline against the U.S. dollar in the past year, pushing up construction costs.
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