With the world’s interest turning to the 22nd (XXII) Winter Olympic Games this February, you may be searching for some interesting facts about this event. There is a broad assortment of information available, ranging from the location, cost, security, and the specific events themselves.
Always of interest to sports enthusiasts worldwide, this winter’s Games are scheduled to be held in Sochi, Russia. An unfamiliar location to some, Sochi boasts a balmy climate which rarely drops below 50 degrees even in the winter, making it a popular vacation destination. These comfortable temperatures are possible due to its unique geographic position, as it lies on the Black Sea above Georgia and adjacent to Turkey. In fact, Sochi has the highest average temperature of any city to have hosted the Winter Olympic Games. Known as a resort town, it has a wide range of picturesque options, with the Caucasus Mountains, wonderful coastline, and an abundance of parks and public memorials available to enjoy.
Yet, with its nearly subtropical climate, why was this location chosen to host the Winter Olympic Games? This year the events will actually be held across two separate sites, which are uniquely suited to the needs of each. The first is the newly built Olympic Park on the coast of the Black Sea, providing milder temperatures, along with better dining and accommodations. For events where snow is a necessity, the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana will be used instead, with snow machines having been brought in from Finland (in case the weather is unseasonably warm).
Cost
Second on the list of interesting facts about the Winter Olympic Games is the staggering cost. Previously, the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008 held the record for the highest price tag, at approximately 44 billion dollars. The Sochi Games have shattered that barrier, with budget overages causing the event to register in at more than 51 billion dollars. Some have blamed unethical contract awards for the budget problems.
Security
Security is always a point of concern during such a public event, and the Sochi Games are no exception. Experts are troubled that extremist Islamic groups may strike the Games, but President Putin has given assurances that these Winter Olympic Games will be safer than any other in history.
Specific Events
No list of interesting facts about the Winter Olympic Games would be complete, without discussing the specific events themselves. This year, a total of ninety-eight events will be offered, with twelve new additions to the roster overall – making it the most comprehensive Winter Olympic Games to date. Of note, women’s ski jumping is available for the first time in Olympic history, after years of petitioning for inclusion in the sport. Other long-time favorites will return this year as well, including the biathlon, figure skating, luge, speed skating, and alpine skiing. Seven unique sports will be represented, and seven countries will likely compete in the Winter Olympics for the first time (Togo, Tonga, Dominica, Paraguay, Malta, Timor Leste and Zimbabwe).
All told, the 2014 Winter Olympic Games promise to be held on a grander scale, with new countries participating and more events offered than ever before. This should make for a world-class athletic competition, of which you will now be well-versed, armed with the above list of interesting facts about this year’s Winter Olympic Games.