Freshfields, A&O win podium spots on 2014 Winter Games panel

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy (A&O) are among a five-firm line-up selected to advise on the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

The magic circle pair have been appointed alongside Hogan Lovells, DLA Piper and White & Case to advise the organising committee for the Sochi Winter Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games.

The firms were appointed towards the end of May following a competitive tender process that saw a number of international firms with Moscow offices invited to pitch.

They will provide legal advice across finance, logistics, procurement, intellectual property and general commercial matters connected with organising and staging the event, as well as participating in negotiations with Russian and international media companies seeking broadcast rights for the event. The organising committee is responsible for all aspects of the Games, from sports planning to venues to catering.

All five firms have signed confidentiality agreements and refused to comment formally on the appointments.

However, one partner involved in the process said: "It was a very competitive tender. Many firms were interested, but when the tender actually came up not many were invited to participate."

The Winter Olympics are set to be held in Russia for the first time in February 2014. Preparations for the event are already well underway, with construction started on 14 major sporting facilities, as well as the Olympic and media villages.

Freshfields' appointment means that it will be involved in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, as the firm was appointed in February 2009 as the official law firm for the London 2012 Olympics by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.