Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/120608
the mountains by rail, but also Sochi to the rest of Western Europe. "It's a huge challenge, especially for President Putin, because he uses this Olympics as a good opportunity for boosting the economy and developing this region of Sochi," Dmitry Peskov told CNN. It is opening up a resort city where temperatures reach 40°C in summer, and will be as warm as 10-15°C by the sea when the Olympics take place from February 7-23 next year—with organizers already stockpiling snow due to sporadic falls, Black says. Unlike the last Winter Games in Vancouver, which was integrated within the city, Sochi has had to start from scratch—new roads, rail, hotels, as well as an improved power grid. "I was impressed with the there a while. The juxtaposition of the Black Sea with the mountains behind is quite stunning in its beauty." The Olympic events will be split between the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana and a purpose-built Much of the expense is due to the lack of existing infrastructure at the resort, which is an hour-and-a-half flight southwest of Moscow, near the border with Georgia and the disputed territory of Abkhazia. scale of the project and what they are doing there," says Sandusky. "Uniquely, it's a summer resort town in Russia traditionally, not a winter destination, although they have had skiing Olympic Park in the city, connected by a 45-minute high-speed train line. The Bolshoi Ice Dome will host some of the ice hockey events. IDA UNIVERSAL March-April 2013 Criticisms As with any major project, there have been problems. Human Rights Watch put out a report the day before the "year to go" milestone, claiming that workers have been exploited by the construction companies. Last year's highprofile alpine skiing test event -- the Winter Olympics' glamour sport -- was marred by criticisms of the course. Despite such concerns, most skiers have come out in favor of the venue, designed by former skiing great Bernhard Russi. "I think they learned a lot from that World Cup, and I think they'll open up the course a little bit and make it more like a downhill. It was very turny and a lot of guys didn't like that. "They didn't ask for feedback, but they heard a lot of it from racers and the coaches, and I think they're listening, so hopefully we'll have a more open, faster downhill set for the Olympics." This is probably one of the most massive construction projects in history." ● 31