Vitaly Mutko, chairman of the organizing committee of Russia-2018, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Youth policy
“We would like to present you a new logo. It is a topical logo, which will shape up completely after 2014 and will be the logo of the World Cup. But to make a start we would like to have a logo of the Football World Cup. Of course, we want to develop, and we have already developed, a logo for every city, for the starting movement, propaganda of the Cup’s values, implementation of “The Vision.” For every strategy some program aspects will be developed, and we begin their fulfillment. And today we present you our logo. It was a decision by FIFA, first of all, as the World Cup belongs to FIFA. And they adopted the logo".
Thierry Weill, Marketing Director of FIFA
“The Vision” of the World Cup 2018 and the timely logo are unique phenomena. I would like to say that “The Vision” was announced beforehand. It has not always been so. As for marketing, it is very important, as my mission is to consolidate all activities connected with the World Cup in Russia, and I’m glad it is being done in advance. We decided to present a timely logo, as the organization committee has prepared and presented their creative vision, giving life to events which will happen in 6 years' time. We shouldn’t forget about this. But the work done by the organizing committee proves that FIFA laid the foundation for holding the World Cup beforehand. It enables the government and the organizing committee to plan the conduct of this event. What is the timely logo? It includes the main trophy of FIFA, well-known throughout the world, and a red background. It provides an instrument for FIFA, the organizing committee and business participants to send a message from World Cup 2018 out to the world today”.
Mr. Mutko also presented the first envoy of the Football World Cup 2018:
“The mission of the envoys is significant. We would like them to be representatives of the sporting community, first of all football players, members of the national team. Moreover, they will be representatives of art and culture and fans, who will be chosen by the regions. These people will promote the values of the World Cup in Russia and abroad. And the first envoy of the World Cup is a member of our football national team, an outstanding sportsman and a nice guy, Igor Akenfeev”.
Igor Akenfeev, the first envoy of WC-2018, Honored Sportsman of Russia:
“It is a great honor for me, as an acting sportsman, and from the viewpoint of the future. I hope our country, our cities would welcome these games gladly with an open soul, because the Cup is very important for our development, tourism and so on. But the main point is that it is football, i.e. it will be a bright and beautiful event. And it will be held in Russia. As a citizen of Russia, I’m proud that the World Cup will take place in our country, and I congratulate all of you on it.
“Today we pay great attention to the North Caucasus. A separate program has been developed, serious money is being invested. We want to increase the employment rate there, develop directions of high priority such as tourism. A special corporation for development of tourism in the North Caucasus has been established. Recently we conducted a series of contests and tournaments in Kabardino-Balkaria and Dagestan. And we will continue to do so”.
