Russia and Sports

In the coming years more news and attention will be drawn to Russia as they will host the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi and World Cup in 2018. This will be the first time Russia will host the Winter Olympic Games and it will be held at Krasnodar, the third largest region in Russia. The games in Sochi will be centered on two areas, a coastal cluster where the skating rinks and other ice sports will take place and at the mountain cluster used for skiing and sliding sports. The mountain cluster region will provide a legacy for the area even after the Olympic Games finish; the venue will host other international competitions and will provide better facilities for future athletes and citizens.

The torch for the Sochi Games has been unveiled and the design is in the shape of a feather. Some say it is reminiscent of the Phoenix which appears in Russian folklore and is said to bring good luck and happiness.  The torch will be used to begin the relay and will travel 123 days and change hands between 14,000 torchbearers.