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Image: OLY-2014-RUSSIA-SOCHI-FEATURE

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Sochi prepares to host Winter Games

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Image: OLY-2014-RUSSIA-SOCHI-FEATURE

An overview of Rosa Khutor alpine resort in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, on Feb. 3.

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP
Image:

An aerial view of the Olympic Park as construction works continue in the lead-up to the upcoming winter games in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 4. With just one year till the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, the Black Sea resort of Sochi is a vast construction site sprawling for nearly 25 miles along the coast and 30 miles up into the mountains, with no escape from the clang and clatter of the construction works, the drilling, jack-hammering and mixing of cement.

Dmitry Lovetsky / AP
Image: TOPSHOTS-OLY-2014-RUS-SOCHI-FEATURE

A snowboarder takes a run on Dec. 22, 2012, at the Rosa Khutor Mountain Resort in Krasnaya Polyana outside the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Mikhail Mordasov / AFP
Image: OLY-2014-RUSSIA

People fishing in front of a Russian border patrol boat in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on Dec. 20, 2012. Sochi will host the 2014 Winter Olympics that start on Feb. 7, 2014 .

Mikhail Mordasov / AFP
Image: Nordic Combined World Cup

An athlete soars through the air during the official training of ski jumping of the LH Individual Gundersen of the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup presented by Viessmann in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 1.

Anatoly Maltsev / EPA
Image: ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2012 - Day Two

The outside of the Iceberg Skating Palace, the 2014 Olympic venue for figure skating and short-track speed skating, on Dec. 7, 2012 in Sochi, Russia.

Julian Finney / Getty Images Europe
Image: ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2012 - Day Two

A general view inside the Iceberg Skating Palace, the 2014 Olympic venue for figure skating and short-track speed skating, on Dec. 7, 2012 in Sochi, Russia.

Julian Finney / Getty Images Europe
Image: OLY-2014-RUS-SOCHI-PUTIN

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Alexander Tkachev, Krasnodar region governor, during a visit to the mountain resort in Krasnaya Polyana outside the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on Jan 3.

Mikhail Klimentyev / AFP
Image: OLY-2014-RUSSIA

People fishing near the construction site of the Olympic Village in the Imereti Valley in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, on Nov. 22, 2012.

Mikhail Mordasov / AFP
Image: A general view of the Olympic village to be used for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, which is under construction, is seen in Sochi

A view of the Olympic village to be used for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics is seen in Sochi, on Dec. 2. Although such complexes and venues in the Black Sea resort of Sochi mostly resemble building sites that are still under construction, there is nothing to suggest any concern over readiness. Construction will be completed by August 2013, according to organizers.

Pawel Kopczynski / X00616
Image: One year until Sochi will host the Olympic Winter Games in 2014

Bolshoy Ice Dome at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Park in Sochi, host city of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Krasnodar region, Russia, on Jan. 30.

Yuri Kochetkov / EPA
Image: FIS Ski Jumping World Cup - Sochi

A competitor during the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup at the RusSki Gorki venue on Dec. 9, 2012 in Sochi, Russia.

Julian Finney / Getty Images Europe
Image: One year until Sochi will host the Olympic Winter Games in 2014

The RusSki Gorki ski jumping facility is covered with snow in Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 2.

Jan Woitas / DPA
Image: General Views of Venues for Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games

A view of the Adler Arena venue for speed skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics is seen on Nov. 6, 2012 in Sochi, Russia.

Shaun Botterill / Getty Images Europe
Image: One year until Sochi will host the Olympic Winter Games in 2014

Adler Arena Speed Skating Center at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Park in Sochi, host city of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Krasnodar region, Russia, on Jan. 30.

Yuri Kochetkov / EPA
Image: FIS Ski Jumping World Cup - Sochi

Eva Logar of Slovenia competes in a ski jump competion during the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup at the RusSki Gorki venue on Dec. 9, 2012 in Sochi, Russia.

Julian Finney / Getty Images Europe
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