It is the usual practice to print commemorative banknotes and Sochi Olympics 2014 is an excellent opportunity to put a special Olympics banknote into circulation. The privilege to feature Sochi Olympics was given to 100 ruble banknote. The Bank of Russia has already announced the successful introduction of 20 million 100 ruble commemorative notes into circulation.
The banknote is designed in a completely new style having vertical composition and a blue color. It features a snowboarder and several Olympics venues. In the reverse side, the main sports arena of Sochi Olympics 2014 and the Firebird which resembles the Olympic flame are depicted. The presentation of the special-edition banknote took place in March; during the press conference journalists were shown the new design of the note, except for security features against counterfeiting. They were disclosed only in late October and include a transparent window on the basis of polymeric tape, a snowflake which appears when you hold the banknote against the light and changes its color depending on the angle of view. The foremost distinctive feature is a blue color scheme which replaced usual warm colors. The Olympic Organizing Committee said that Sochi Olympics 100 ruble note has become the first banknote in the history of Winter Olympic Games. Before this, coins were minted for such commemorative events in most cases. To celebrate its Winter Olympics, Russia also minted 20 million copper-nickel coins in denomination of 25 rubles and issued a postage stamp.
