There have been other recent victories, of course, but on a local scale. The news from Guatemala about the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) choice of Sochi as the host of the 2014 Winter Games has made international headlines, and may well prove instrumental in giving the nation what it needs most - unity.
This victory is a special one because it marks the first time the international community has acknowledged that the woes of Russia's post-Soviet transition are a thing of the past. Indeed, a country with a weak economy, a shaky political system and poor security - as many still imagine Russia to be - would have little chance to be picked as an Olympic host.
Russia has been entrusted with this formidable task in the hope that it will prove worthy of it. But then, the choice of an Olympic host is always an investment risk, even if a well calculated one. In Sochi, Olympic facilities exist so far only on paper, and the Black Sea resort's winning bid indicates the IOC's high level of trust in the Russian leadership's commitment to translating all those ambitious projects into reality.
Admittedly, President Vladimir Putin has played an important role in securing Sochi's victory. His decision to go to Guatemala to personally present the city's bid to the IOC selection panel was an act befitting a true statesman as much as a sportsman determined to compete till the victorious end. Sochi lagged behind the other finalists for a long time and did not advance to the forefront until shortly before the IOC session in Guatemala City - thanks in no small measure to the Russian leader's promotional skills.
After the announcement, IOC head Jacques Rogge told a news conference that Putin's backing for the bid, as well as wide public support, had indeed tipped the scales in the Russian resort's favor in a closely contested vote on Thursday.
Promotion and spin play an increasingly important role in today's world, and it looks like Russia is quickly learning how to raise its profile on the international stage. The latest success gives every reason to hope that other spectacular victories will follow.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
