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Viktor KolodyajnyiMayor of Sochi since April 2004
Date of Birth: 26.06.1953
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Viktor Kolodyazhny
Early Life and CareerViktor Viktorovich Kolodyazhny was born on June 26, 1953, in the city of Urgench, Khorezm region of the Uzbek SSR, in a family of a railway worker. From an early age, he had a dream of becoming a builder. After finishing school, he started working as a stonemason in the construction team of the "Sredaztransstroy" construction train trust. He was called up to serve in the army and after his service, he worked (and studied at the same time) in Armavir. He worked as a foreman, then as the head of the repair and construction workshop of the furniture association "Armavir". In 1979, Kolodyazhny became the chief foreman of the Armavir SMU-45, and in 1981, he became the deputy general director of the PMDO "Armavir". From 1982 to 1985, he served as the chief engineer, then as the chairman of the inter-collective farm construction organization, and later as the manager of the NAPSM construction trust in the city of Novokubansk. He held this position until 1997. By 1997, Kolodyazhny was elected as the general director of the "Agrostroitel" association. In 1997, he was appointed as the head of the inspection of the Ministry of Taxes and Levies of the Russian Federation in the Novokubansk district. In 2001, he was elected as the first deputy mayor of Armavir, and in 2002, he became the mayor of Armavir. During his leadership of the city administration, Kolodyazhny was praised for his decisive and hardworking nature, as well as his attention to the needs of the people. He was credited with rebuilding the city after the flood in June 2002, which destroyed many residential buildings, schools, and city utilities. Under his leadership, several multi-apartment buildings and cottages were built for the affected families, and hospitals and schools were repaired.
Mayor of Sochi
In January 2004, Kolodyazhny was appointed as the first deputy mayor of Sochi and became the acting mayor, as the previous mayor, Leonid Mostovoy, was included in the Federation Council. In April 2004, Kolodyazhny was elected as the head of the Sochi administration, with 73.56% of the voters supporting him. During his tenure as mayor, Kolodyazhny actively supported the idea of hosting the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. On July 5, 2007, it was announced that Sochi had been chosen as the host city for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
2014 Winter Olympics
In preparation for the Olympics, Kolodyazhny and the Sochi authorities presented the master plan for the development of the mountain village of Krasnaya Polyana in April 2005. The plan aimed to transform Krasnaya Polyana into a modern ski resort. This was the first mention of Sochi's potential bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. The idea was supported by President Vladimir Putin. In November 2005, the Russian government created an organizing committee for the bid, which was headed by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov. In January 2006, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade estimated the costs for organizing the Olympics in Sochi at 328 billion rubles, but Kolodyazhny stated that the costs could be reduced by 20% once the program was fully developed. In January 2006, the mayor was awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree for his contribution to the social and economic development of the city. In January 2007, Russia submitted the bid book "Sochi-2014" to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In June 2007, Sochi was selected as one of the three candidate cities, along with Salzburg (Austria) and Pyeongchang (South Korea). On July 5, 2007, it was announced that Sochi had won the bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Recognition and Personal Life
Kolodyazhny has been awarded the titles of "Honored Builder of Russia," "Honored Builder of Kuban," and "Hero of Labor of Kuban." In addition to the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," he has been awarded two Orders of Honor and the Order of Friendship. He is an honorary citizen of Novokubansk and has also been granted the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Armavir." Kolodyazhny holds two higher education degrees, including a candidate of economic sciences degree. He is married and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, particularly quail hunting. He is also a lover of historical literature, Russian classics, and poetry. He believes that criticism is a stimulus for positive changes and has a positive attitude towards it.
