MOSCOW, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- High spending on preparations of the Winter Olympics due in Sochi are fully justified, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.

"All investments into Sochi have been absolutely justified. The same is related to the soccer World Cup," Medvedev said in an interview to main Russian TV channels.

He said the big sporting events have "always been a reason" for the country's development.

"This is very important for such big and complicated country," he said.

Noting that the conditions in Sochi before Olympic preparations were "shameful," Medvedev said that Black Sea resort has been changed beyond recognition.

"Now Sochi has got a normal hotels network, normal sporting venues for watching sport events and for recreation. There will be normal tourism infrastructure and normal communications," Medvedev said.

If it was not for the Olympics, Sochi would not have a new railroad; unless the 2012 APEC summit was held in Vladivostok, that city in the Far East would remain without sewage, said the prime minister.

The 22nd Winter Olympics are slated for Feb. 7-23, 2014 while the 2018 World Cup will be held in 11 Russian cities with 32 teams participating.