Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said that he fully supported Sofia's bid for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

On June 22 the International Olympic Committee should decide which candidate cities would proceed to the next stage of the selection process. The government's support is one of the factors the Olympic Committee will take into consideration when evaluating the bids.

Stanishev said that the Sofia candidature was 'an item of the highest importance, not just for Sofia, but for all of Bulgaria' because of the significant benefits in the economic, social and sport spheres. He added that the Cabinet would provide all the necessary support for the execution of the engagements in the bid.

Bulgaria's bid also received the support of Bulgarian Olympic athletes, who became bid ambassadors.

Stanishev said he was pleased with the high support the candidature received from Bulgaria's population, as revealed in the latest Gallup agency poll.

Among the strong points in Sofia's candidature Stanishev listed the developed infrastructure and services that only a capital could provide. The winter resorts of Borovets and Bansko also met world-class standards. If Sofia is selected, the two resorts would host some of the games alongside the capital.