Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on Friday left for Russia to participate in the launch of the 2014 Winter Olympics there, the president office said.

"President Hamid Karzai, leading a high-level delegation, left this morning to Russia at the official invitation of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in inauguration of the Winter Olympics in Sochi city of the Russia," the office said in a statement.

During the one-day visit, the Afghan leader will also hold meetings with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the statement noted.

The president is accompanied by National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta and Foreign Minister Zarhar Ahmad Usmani, the statement added.

The 22nd Winter Olympics in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi will start on Friday. About 60 world leaders have announced their plans to visit the Sochi Games.