MOSCOW, April 24 2009. Russians Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information about how Russians assess the opportunities of Russia to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, if Russians know about the mayoral election campaign in the city and what exactly they know.
Almost two thirds of Russians (62%) are confident that despite difficulties Russia should hold the Olympics in Sochi anyway. This point of view is shared by Volga District residents (65%) and Russians aged younger than 44 (63-65%). Every fifth (20%) think that Sochi should be the Olympic capital holding the opening and closing ceremonies while the Olympic competitions should be held in other regions of Russia; most of those who have such opinion are the North-Western Federal District residents (26%), 18-24-year-old and 45-59-year-old respondents (23% and 22% respectively). And finally, 9% consider that Russia should refuse to host the 2014 Winter Olympics and let another country to conduct the Games: the share of such respondents is the highest among Southerners and Volga District residents (11% for each), Siberians (10%), as well as respondents aged 60 and above (13%).
Russians are confident that Russia will hold the Olympics at a decent level (86%, 96% in 2007). The share of those who think that Russia will not be capable of holding the Games is not so big - 6% (5% - likely capable, 1% - certainly not capable). Respondents aged 25-44 and those with high level of income more often than others consider that Russia is a worthy host (89-91% and 88% respectively).
The Olympics will help raise the country's prestige, 52% of Russians say. 44% are confident that its implementation will make contribution to the development of physical culture and sports (44%, 48% in 2007). 26% expect the rise of national consciousness and patriotism, 23% expect the rise in housing and real estate prices. Rarer Russians mention huge sum of money that would better be spent on social issues (27% in 2007 against 22% in the current year). 15% of Russians predict improving infrastructure of Sochi, construction boom (the share of such respondents have declined from 19% over the past two years), the same share of Russians think that Olympic venues construction and the influx of people will be harmful; the share of respondents who are worried about this problem has increased compared to 2007 (9% against 15%). Finally, 14% of respondents expect economic rise and inflow of investment.
Two thirds of Russians have first heard of Sochi mayoral elections scheduled April 26 from the interviewers. Almost two thirds of Russians (65%) have heard about the election campaign for the first time. They are mainly residents of Far East of Russia (84%), rural area (71%) and supporters of "United Russia" party (66%). 34% of respondents are more or less aware of the election campaign (25% - have heard something about it, 9% are well aware about it). The average level of awareness is often shown by residents of the Central District of Russia (42%), metropolitan, big and medium-sized cities residents (36-39%), as well as Democrats` electorate (62%).
Those who have heard something about it first of all pointed out that there are lots of contenders for a mayor of Sochi (10%)and the most famous among them is ballerina Anastasiya Volochkova (10%). Other 8% heard that federal ex-politician Boris Nemtsov is nominated for the Sochi mayor post. Those who heard that the Sochi mayor election campaign is dirty and scandalous, as well as those who heard about the struggle for money and power are 5% for each group; 4% report that "the candidates are numerous but there are no one to choose". And finally, 6% know nothing excepting the fact the campaign is taking place. However, 54% of Russians who are aware of the pre-election campaign are undecided about what exactly they know about it.
The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on April 18-19, 2009.
1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.
The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
In preparation for the Sochi Olympics-2014, Russia encountered strong difficulties. There is no full confidence that Sochi will be a worthy host for the Olympics. Which of the statements do you share? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||||
| total respondents | Federal Districts* | ||||||
CFO | NWFD | SFD | PFD | UFD | SFD | DFD | ||
it is necessary to hold the Olympics in Sochi,as it was decided | 62 | 61 | 59 | 62 | 65 | 60 | 62 | 52 |
Sochi should be the capital of Olympics Winter Games, holding the opening and closing ceremonies, but the competitions should take place in other regions of Russia (Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Khanty-Mansiysk) | 20 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 33 |
Russia should better refuse to host the Olympics-2014 and let another country to hold this Games | 9 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
hard to tell | 10 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 11 |
In you opinion, will Russia be capable of holding the 2014 Winter Olympics Games at a decent level? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| July 2007 | April 2009 |
certainly capable | 59 | 47 |
likely capable | 33 | 39 |
unlikely capable | 2 | 5 |
certainly not capable | 0 | 1 |
hard to tell | 7 | 7 |
What consequences will Sochi Winter Olympics-2014 bring to Russia? (close-ended question, not more than three answers) | ||
| July 2007 | April 2009 |
| 48 | 44 |
raise of prestige of the country, strengthening its position in the world | 52 | 52 |
rise in national consciousness, patriotism | 26 | 26 |
| 27 | 22 |
housing, real estate and land prices` increase | 24 | 23 |
economic rise, inflow of investments | 16 | 14 |
| 9 | 15 |
improvement of Sochi infrastructure, construction boom | 19 | 15 |
hard to tell | 5 | 4 |
The election campaign is taking place in Sochi. Do you know anything about it? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
|
| Supporters of political parties | ||||
| total respondents | "United Russia" | CPRF | LDPR | "Fair Russia" | democrats (Pravoe Delo +Yabloko) |
well aware | 9 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 31 |
heard something | 25 | 25 | 27 | 22 | 42 | 31 |
firstly heard | 65 | 66 | 64 | 64 | 40 | 31 |
hard to tell | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
If you heard about pre-election campaign that is taking place in Sochi, what exactly do you know about it? (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who know about the election campaign) | |
there are lost of candidates for the post of the mayor of Sochi | 10 |
Anastasiya Volochkova is running for the Sochi mayor | 10 |
Boris Nemtsov is running for the Sochi mayor | 8 |
pre-election campaign is dirty and scandalous, it looks like a circus | 5 |
there is a strong struggle for money and power | 5 |
there are no worthy candidates, "there are lots of candidates, but no one to choose" | 4 |
it is taking place but there is nothing concrete | 6 |
other | 4 |
hard to tell | 54 |
*Abbreviations
CFD - Central Federal District
NWFD - North-Western Federal District
SFD - Southern Federal District
PFD - Volga Federal District
UFD - Urals Federal District
SFD - Siberian Federal District
DFD - Far-Eastern Federal District
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,
the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!