Sochi is turning to figure skating world champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China for advice to boost the Russian city's chances of winning the bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, CEO of Sochi 2014, met with Pang Qing and Tong Jian on Monday to listen and learn from their needs and expectations from Olympic winter venues and facilities.

"It was a great honor to meet two such world-class and gracious Champions. Their insights and views have been extremely helpful in the final preparations of our Games Plan," said Chernyshenko.

"This is in keeping with our vision to create brand new facilities for the Games in Sochi customized to the needs of athletes and all Olympic Family Members."

Pang and Tong, who finished fourth in Turin 2006 Pair Skating and went on to win gold in the same event at the World Championships in Calgary, Canada, in March 2006, were also invited to visit Sochi, the renowned tourist resort near the Black Sea.

"I am very impressed with the Sochi 2014 Games Plan. It will be a unique opportunity to compete at an Olympic Winter Games where both the ice and alpine sports' venues are designed to maximize athletes' comfort and help them reach their ultimate performance. We look forward to visiting Sochi soon and experiencing this exciting vision for ourselves," said Pang.

Chernyshenko is heading a Sochi 2014 delegation at the 5th World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2006)