2014 Winter Olympics#Concerns and controversies

{{Main|Bids for the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

File:RIAN archive 159366 Sochi residents celebrate IOC's decision to hold 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.jpg win]]

Sochi was elected on 4 July 2007 during the 119th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session held in Guatemala City, Guatemala, defeating bids from Salzburg, Austria; and Pyeongchang, South Korea.{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2221|title=Sochi Elected as Host City of XXII Olympic Winter Games, International Olympic Committee|publisher=Olympic.org|date=4 July 2007|access-date=17 January 2014|archive-date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205235120/http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2221|url-status=live}} This is the first time that the Russian Federation has hosted the Winter Olympics. The Soviet Union was the host of the 1980 Summer Olympics held in and around Moscow.

{{See also|Cost of the Olympic Games}}

As of October 2013, the estimated combined cost of the 2014 Winter Olympics had topped US$51 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10414885/Sochi-chaos-behind-the-scenes-of-worlds-most-expensive-Winter-Olympics.html|title=Sochi: chaos behind the scenes of world's most expensive Winter Olympics|work=Daily Telegraph|date=30 October 2013|access-date=5 February 2014|author=Oliphant, Roland|location=London|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113024452/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10414885/Sochi-chaos-behind-the-scenes-of-worlds-most-expensive-Winter-Olympics.html|url-status=live }} This amount included the cost for Olympic games themselves and cost of Sochi infrastructural projects (roads, railroads, power plants). This total is over four times the initial budget of $12 billion (compared to the $8 billion spent for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver), and made the Sochi games the most expensive Olympics in history, exceeding the estimated $44 billion cost of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/oct/09/sochi-2014-olympics-money-corruption|title=Sochi 2014: the costliest Olympics yet but where has all the money gone?|newspaper=The Guardian|date=9 October 2013|access-date=6 February 2014|author=Owen Gibson|archive-date=28 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128202048/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/oct/09/sochi-2014-olympics-money-corruption|url-status=live }} which hosted 3 times as many events.[http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-02/the-2014-winter-olympics-in-sochi-cost-51-billion The Waste and Corruption of Vladimir Putin's 2014 Winter Olympics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209040048/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-02/the-2014-winter-olympics-in-sochi-cost-51-billion|date=9 February 2014 }}, businessweek, 2 January 2014 Dmitry Kozak was the main overseer for the events in Sochi.{{cite news|last = Kuzmin|first = Vladimir|script-title = ru:Назначенцы-2012|url = http://rg.ru/2012/05/24/pravitelstvo.html|trans-title = Appointees 2012|language = ru|newspaper = Rossiyskaya Gazeta|location = The Kremlin in Moscow|date = 24 May 2012|access-date = 4 March 2016|archive-date = 6 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306070210/http://rg.ru/2012/05/24/pravitelstvo.html|url-status = live }}{{cite book|last = Dawisha|first = Karen|author-link = Karen Dawisha|title = Putin's Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia?|url = https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1476795207|year = 2014|publisher = Simon & Schuster|pages = 87, 377|isbn = 978-1-4767-9519-5}}{{cite news|last = Sukhov|first = Oleg|title = From Olympics to Crimea, Putin Loyalist Kozak Entrusted with Kremlin Mega-Projects|url = http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/from-olympics-to-crimea-putin-loyalist-kozak-entrusted-with-kremlin-mega-projects/497007.html|newspaper = The Moscow Times|date = 28 March 2014|access-date = 4 March 2016|archive-date = 4 April 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160404210157/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/from-olympics-to-crimea-putin-loyalist-kozak-entrusted-with-kremlin-mega-projects/497007.html|url-status = live }}

In its final budget published in June 2014, Olimpstroy—the state corporation that oversaw the Sochi Olympics development—reported the total allocated funds for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics of 1,524 billion rubles (US$49.5 billion).{{Cite journal|last=Golubchikov|first=Oleg|date=31 January 2017|title=From a sports mega-event to a regional mega-project: the Sochi winter Olympics and the return of geography in state development priorities|journal=International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics|volume=9|issue=2|pages=237–255|doi=10.1080/19406940.2016.1272620|s2cid=131822552|issn=1940-6940|url=http://orca.cf.ac.uk/96568/1/From%20a%20sports%20mega%20event%20to%20a%20regional%20mega%20project%20the%20Sochi%20winter%20Olympics%20and%20the%20return%20of%20geography%20in%20state%20development%20priorities.pdf|access-date=26 November 2018|archive-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719035959/http://orca.cf.ac.uk/96568/1/From%20a%20sports%20mega%20event%20to%20a%20regional%20mega%20project%20the%20Sochi%20winter%20Olympics%20and%20the%20return%20of%20geography%20in%20state%20development%20priorities.pdf|url-status=live|doi-access=free}} However, only about a fifth of that budget ($10.8 billion) was directly related to the Olympic games, while the rest went into urban and regional regeneration and the conversion of the Sochi region into an all-year round sea and alpine resort. The breakdown table below is based on a report that has analyzed the distribution of Olimpstroy's $49.5 billion budget.{{Cite report |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19406940.2016.1272620 |title=From a sports mega-event to a regional mega-project: the Sochi winter Olympics and the return of geography in state development priorities |last=Golubchikov |first=Oleg |date=2017-04-03 |doi=10.1080/19406940.2016.1272620 |pages=237–255 |language=en|doi-access=free }} Estimates also suggest that additional unrecoverable operational costs (including for security) could have added another $3 billion.

{{Main|Venues of the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

{{Location map|Europe|width=260|float=right

|alt=Location of Sochi, Russia

|caption=Location of Sochi on the eastern coast of the Black Sea in Europe.

|label = Sochi

|background=white

|lat_deg = 43.585278

|lon_deg = 39.720278

}}

File:Caucasus amo 2014034.jpg

With an average February temperature of {{cvt|8.3|C|F}} and a humid subtropical climate, Sochi is the warmest city to host a Winter Olympic Games.[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Olympics/2010/0301/Vancouver-Olympics-Embarrassed-Russia-looks-to-2014-Sochi-Olympics Vancouver Olympics: Embarrassed Russia looks to 2014 Sochi Olympics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916201414/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Olympics/2010/0301/Vancouver-Olympics-Embarrassed-Russia-looks-to-2014-Sochi-Olympics|date=16 September 2012 }} The Christian Science Monitor, 1 March 2010 Sochi 2014 is the 12th straight Olympics to outlaw smoking; all Sochi venues, Olympic Park bars and restaurants and public areas were smoke-free during the Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.aroundtherings.com/|title=Rio Golf Course; Women's World Cup; IOC Nominee for Japan? – No Smoking in Sochi|access-date=23 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126220340/http://www.aroundtherings.com//articles/view.aspx?pv=xqv&id=37492|archive-date=26 November 2011|df=dmy }} Around the Rings, 14 July 2011 It is also the first time that an Olympic Park has been built for hosting winter games.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}

{{main|Sochi Olympic Park}}

File:Sochi adler aerial view 2018 14.jpg]]

File:Olympic Park 2014.jpg]]

The Sochi Olympic Park was built by the Black Sea coast in the Imeretinsky Valley, about 4 km (2.5 miles) from Russia's border with Abkhazia/Georgia.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7746114.stm|title=Sochi's mixed feelings over Olympics|work=BBC News|date=26 November 2008|access-date=17 January 2014|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221105502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7746114.stm|url-status=live}}[http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/9667-russian-deputy-pm-leads-sochi-delegation-to-inspect-munich-olympic-park Russian Deputy PM leads Sochi delegation to inspect Munich Olympic Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816001307/http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/9667-russian-deputy-pm-leads-sochi-delegation-to-inspect-munich-olympic-park|date=16 August 2012 }} Inside the Games, 22 May 2010 The venues were clustered around a central water basin on which the Medals Plaza is built, allowing all indoor venues to be within walking distance. It also features "The Waters of the Olympic Park" (designed by California-based company WET), a choreographed fountain which served as the backdrop in the medals awards and the opening and closing ceremonies of the event.{{cite news|last= Madler|first= Mark|date= 24 February 2014|title= WET Design Runs Rings Around Rivals|url= http://sfvbj.com/accounts/login/?next=/news/2014/feb/24/wet-design-runs-rings-around-rivals/|newspaper= San Fernando Business Journal|location= Los Angeles, California|publisher= California Business Journals|access-date= 26 February 2014|archive-date= 27 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140227073819/http://sfvbj.com/accounts/login/?next=%2Fnews%2F2014%2Ffeb%2F24%2Fwet-design-runs-rings-around-rivals%2F|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= http://www.gizmag.com/sochi-olympic-fountains/30934/|publisher= Gizmag|title= California-based WET makes the waters dance at Sochi|access-date= 26 February 2013|archive-date= 18 October 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141018015242/http://www.gizmag.com/sochi-olympic-fountains/30934/|url-status= live }} The new venues include:[http://www.yugopolis.ru/galleries/sport/2013/07/16/423/sochi-2014-sochi-olimpiada-v-sochi-olimpiiskoe-stroitelstvo Посмотрели свысока] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807063407/http://www.yugopolis.ru/galleries/sport/2013/07/16/423/sochi-2014-sochi-olimpiada-v-sochi-olimpiiskoe-stroitelstvo|date=7 August 2013 }} Yugopolis, 16 July 2013

• Fisht Olympic Stadium – ceremonies (opening/closing) 40,000 spectators
• Bolshoy Ice Dome – ice hockey (final), 12,000 spectators
• Shayba Arena – ice hockey, 7,000 spectators
• Adler Arena Skating Center – speed skating, 8,000 spectators
• Iceberg Skating Palace – figure skating, short track speed skating, 12,000 spectators
• Ice Cube Curling Center – curling, 3,000 spectators
• Main Olympic village
• International broadcasting centre and main press room

{{wide image|Sochi 2014 olympic coastal cluster map-en.svg|500px|A sketch of the layout of Sochi Olympic Park.}}

{{Main|Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai}}

File:Vladimir Putin 23 February 2008-14.jpg]]

• Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex – biathlon, cross-country skiing
• Rosa Khutor Extreme Park – freestyle skiing and snowboarding
• Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort – alpine skiing
• Sliding Center Sanki – bobsleigh, luge and skeleton
• RusSki Gorki Jumping Center – ski jumping and Nordic combined (both ski jumping and cross-country skiing on a 2 km route around the arena)
• Roza Khutor plateau Olympic Village

{{wide image|Sochi 2014 olympic mountain cluster map-en.svg|460px|align-cap=center|2014 Winter Olympics Mountain Cluster Venues}}

File:Sochi Olympic Park Fisht Olympic Stadium P5020324 2200.jpg

A street circuit known as the Sochi Autodrom was constructed in and around Olympic Park. Its primary use is to host the Formula One Russian Grand Prix, which held its inaugural edition in October 2014.{{cite news|last1=Korsunskaya|first1=Darya|first2=Gennady |last2=Fydorov |first3=Alan |last3=Baldwin|title=Sochi to host Russian GP from 2014–2020|work=Reuters|date=14 October 2010|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69D1X020101014|access-date=20 October 2010|archive-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912021259/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-motor-racing-russia/sochi-to-host-russian-gp-from-2014-2020-idUKTRE69D1X020101014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=IOC threatens to postpone Russian Grand Prix|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/250388/ioc-threatens-to-postpone-russian-grand-prix/|work=GP Update|date=13 January 2011|access-date=30 April 2012|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906092412/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/250388/ioc-threatens-to-postpone-russian-grand-prix/|url-status=live}}

In January 2015, work began on adapting Fisht Olympic Stadium into an open-air football stadium to host matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web|title=Russia to Spend $50 Million Taking Roof Off Sochi Olympic Stadium|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/articles/russia-to-spend-50-million-taking-roof-off-sochi-olympic-stadium-43058|website=The Moscow Times|date=20 January 2015|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119075259/https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/russia-to-spend-50-million-taking-roof-off-sochi-olympic-stadium-43058|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Russia 2018 preparations suffer setback as Sochi Olympic Stadium completion date pushed back|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1036155/russia-2018-preparations-suffer-setback-as-sochi-olympic-stadium-completion-date-pushed-back|website=InsideTheGames.biz|date=6 April 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808011311/http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1036155/russia-2018-preparations-suffer-setback-as-sochi-olympic-stadium-completion-date-pushed-back|url-status=live}}

A new ice hockey team in the Kontinental Hockey League, HC Sochi Leopards, now plays in Bolshoy Arena.

{{Main|2014 Winter Olympics marketing}}

File:Vladimir Putin in Sochi 5-6 April 2008-2.jpg and Laura Bush examining the models of the Olympic facilities for Sochi, April 2008]]

File:100 Olympic rubles.jpg banknote issued in 2013 by the Central Bank of Russia]]

The Olympic infrastructure was constructed according to a Federal Target Program (FTP). In June 2009, the Games' organizers reported they were one year ahead in building the main Olympic facilities as compared to recent Olympic Games.[http://itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14095344&PageNum=11 "Russia prepares for Olympic Games 2014 faster than scheduled"]. {{dead link|date=March 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ITAR-TASS, 27 June 2009 In November 2011, IOC President Jacques Rogge was in Sochi and concluded that the city had made significant progress since he last visited eighteen months earlier.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1216135972.html |title=IOC Head Praises Sochi 2014 |date=November 24, 2011 |website=Game Bids |access-date=June 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128104324/http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1216135972.html |archive-date=28 November 2011}}

{{see also|Telecommunications in Russia}}

According to the FTP, US$580 million would be spent on construction and modernization of telecommunications in the region. Avaya was named by the Sochi Organizing Committee as the official supplier of telecommunications equipment. Avaya provided the data network equipment, including switches, routers, security, telephones and contact-center systems. It provided engineers and technicians to design and test the systems, and worked with other technology partners to provide athletes, dignitaries and fans information about the Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.slideshare.net/AvayaInc/dn7191-en-sochi|title=Avaya Customer Case Study: Sochi 2014 Olympics|publisher=Avaya|via=Slideshare|date=23 April 2013|access-date=9 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225957/http://www.slideshare.net/AvayaInc/dn7191-en-sochi|archive-date=2 December 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/15030-us-firm-avaya-named-as-sochi-2014-network-equipment-supplier|title=US firm Avaya named as Sochi 2014 network equipment supplier|work=insidethegames.biz - Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News |publisher=Insidethegames.biz|date=30 November 2011|access-date=17 January 2014|archive-date=15 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115014532/http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/15030-us-firm-avaya-named-as-sochi-2014-network-equipment-supplier|url-status=live |last1=Owen |first1=David }}

The 2014 Olympics is the first "fabric-enabled" Games using Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) technology.{{cite web|title=Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games|url=http://www.avaya.com/ru/resource/assets/casestudies/DN7191EN-Sochi.pdf|publisher=Avaya|year=2013|access-date=10 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513215409/http://www.avaya.com/ru/resource/assets/casestudies/DN7191EN-Sochi.pdf|archive-date=13 May 2014 }} The network is capable of handling up to 54 Tbit/s of traffic.{{cite news|title=Avaya builds massive Wi-Fi net for 2014 Winter Olympics|url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/121613-avaya-wifi-olympics-276776.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_network_systems_2013-12-16|date=December 2013|author=James Careless|publisher=Network World|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216190642/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/121613-avaya-wifi-olympics-276776.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_network_systems_2013-12-16|archive-date=16 December 2013|df=dmy }}

Infrastructure built for the games included:

• A network of TETRA mobile radio communications for 100 user groups (with capacity of 10,000 subscribers);
• {{Convert|712|km|abbr=on}} of fiber-optic cables along the Anapa-Dzhubga-Sochi highways and Dzhubga–Krasnodar branch;
• Digital broadcasting infrastructure, including radio and television broadcasting stations (building and communications towers) with coverage from Grushevaya Polyana (Pear Glade) to Sochi and Anapa cities. The project also included construction of infocommunications centre for broadcasting abroad via three HDTV satellites.

During the Games, the core networks of Rostelecom and Transtelekom were used.[http://www.osp.ru/nets/2007/10/4275795/ "Сочи-2014 выходит на связь"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165629/http://www.osp.ru/nets/2007/10/4275795/|date=30 September 2007 }}. Открытые системы, 2007 {{in lang|ru}}

In January 2012, the newest equipment for the television coverage of the Games arrived in the port of Adler. Prepared specifically for the Games, a team of regional specialists and the latest technology provide a qualitatively new level of television production in the region.{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcasting.ru/articles2/event/innovacionnoe-olimpiiskoe-televizionnoe-oborydovanie-vpervie-v-sochi|title=Инновационное олимпийское телевизионное оборудование впервые в Сочи|publisher=Broadcasting.ru|access-date=9 December 2013|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224517/http://www.broadcasting.ru/articles2/event/innovacionnoe-olimpiiskoe-televizionnoe-oborydovanie-vpervie-v-sochi|url-status=live}}

The fiber-optic channel links Sochi between Adler and Krasnaya Polyana. The {{convert|46|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} channel enables videoconferencing and news reporting from the Olympics.[http://www.radiomayak.ru/doc.html?id=67646 "Fiber-optic communications in Olympic Sochi"]. Mayak Radio, 28 March 2008 {{in lang|ru}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415073350/http://www.radiomayak.ru/doc.html?id=67646|date=15 April 2008 }}

In November 2013, it was reported that the fiber-optic cable that was built by the Federal Communications Agency, Rossvyaz, had no operator. With Rostelecom and Megafon both refusing to operate it, the line was transferred to the ownership of the state enterprise Center for Monitoring & Development of Infocommunication Technologies ({{langx|ru|link=no|Центр МИР ИТ}}).{{cite web|url=http://www.comnews.ru/node/77741|title='МИР ИТ' приютил олимпийскую ВОЛС|work=comnews.ru|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109002532/http://www.comnews.ru/node/77741|url-status=live}}

Russian mobile phone operator Megafon expanded and improved Sochi's telecom infrastructure with over 700 new 2G/3G/4G cell towers. Sochi was the first Games to offer 4G connectivity at a speed of 10 MB/sec.

In January 2014, Rostelecom reported that it had connected the Olympic media center in Sochi to the Internet and organized channels of communication with the main media center of the Olympic Games in the coastal cluster and press center in Moscow. The media center was built at total cost of 17 million rubles.{{cite web|url=http://tasstelecom.ru/news/one/27225|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125115135/http://tasstelecom.ru/news/one/27225|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2014|title='Ростелеком' обеспечил телекоммуникационными услугами олимпийский медиацентр в Сочи|work=TASS-TELECOM|access-date=23 January 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/non-political/716037|title=Olympics' press center and Mountain Cluster's media center open in Sochi|work=ITAR-TASS|date=24 January 2014|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=28 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128054529/http://en.itar-tass.com/non-political/716037|url-status=live}}

File:NASA Night View of Sochi During Olympics.jpg]]

A five-year strategy for increasing the power supply of the Sochi region was presented by Russian energy experts during a seminar on 29 May 2009, held by the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, and attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) experts and officials from the Russian Ministry of Regional Development, the Russian Ministry of Energy, the State Corporation Olimpstroy and the Krasnodar Krai administration.[http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-games-2014-will-double-sochi-power-supply Games 2014 Will Double Sochi Power Supply] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207211443/http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-games-2014-will-double-sochi-power-supply|date=7 February 2014 }} Sochi 2014, 29 May 2009

According to the strategy, the capacity of the regional energy network would increase by two and a half times by 2014, guaranteeing a stable power supply during and after the Games.

The power demand of Sochi at the end of May 2009 was 424 MW. The power demand of the Olympic infrastructure was expected to be about 340 MW.

• Poselkovaya electrical substation became operational in early 2009.
• Sochi thermal power station reconstructed (expected power output was 160 MW)
• Laura and Rosa Khutor electrical substations were completed in November 2010
• Mzymta electrical substation was completed in March 2011
• Krasnopolyanskaya hydroelectric power station was completed in 2010
• Adler CHP station design and construction was completed in 2012. Expected power output was 360 MW[http://www.gazprom.com/press/news/2009/september/article68506/ "Gazprom launches construction of Adler CHPS"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101060023/http://gazprom.com/press/news/2009/september/article68506/|date=1 January 2010 }} Gazprom, 28 September 2009
• Bytkha substation, under construction{{when|reason=Must be complete by 2022 if it played a part in the 2014 Olympics!!|date=March 2022}} with two transformers 25 MW each, includes dependable microprocessor-based protection

Earlier plans also include building combined cycle (steam and gas) power stations near the cities of Tuapse and Novorossiysk and construction of a cable-wire powerline, partially on the floor of the Black Sea.[http://top.rbc.ru/economics/06/07/2007/108439.shtml "The power capacities of the Sochi region will increase before the Olympics by a factor of four"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002141904/http://top.rbc.ru/economics/06/07/2007/108439.shtml|date=2 October 2007 }} RBC, 6 July 2007 {{in lang|ru}}

{{see also|Transport in Russia}}

The transport infrastructure prepared to support the Olympics includes many roads, tunnels, bridges, interchanges, railroads and stations in and around Sochi. Among others, 8 flyovers, 102 bridges, tens of tunnels and a bypass route for heavy trucks – {{cvt|367|km|mi}} of roads were paved.{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1667|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224055843/http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1667|archive-date=24 February 2014|title=Sochi welcomes 2014 Winter Olympics with traditional Russian hospitality|publisher=En.itar-tass.com|access-date=7 February 2014}}

The Sochi Light Metro is located between Adler and Krasnaya Polyana connecting the Olympic Park, Sochi International Airport, and the venues in Krasnaya Polyana.[http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/15926-sochi-opens-new-rail-line-for-2014-winter-olympics "Sochi opens new rail line for 2014 Winter Olympics"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329074732/http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/15926-sochi-opens-new-rail-line-for-2014-winter-olympics|date=29 March 2012 }} Inside the Games, 17 February 2012

File:Sochi adler aerial view 2018 16.jpg

The existing {{convert|102|km|mi|abbr=in|adj=on}}, Tuapse-to-Adler railroad was renovated to provide double track throughout, increasing capacity and enabling a reliable regional service to be provided and extending to the airport. In December 2009, Russian Railways ordered 38 Siemens Mobility Desiro trains for delivery in 2013 for use during the Olympics, with an option for a further 16 partly built in Russia.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/siemens-signs-russian-olympic-train-order.html "Siemens signs Russian Olympic train order"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130065322/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/siemens-signs-russian-olympic-train-order.html|date=30 January 2010 }} Railway Gazette International, 1 January 2010

At Sochi International Airport, a new terminal was built along a {{convert|3.5|km|mi|abbr=in|adj=on}} runway extension, overlapping the Mzymta River.[http://www.yuga.ru/news/99375/ "Runway in Sochi airport will cross the river"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415150113/http://www.yuga.ru/news/99375/|date=15 April 2008 }} YuGA.ru, 8 July 2007 {{in lang|ru}}

File:Морской порт Сочи и прилегающая территория 04.jpg]]

At the Port of Sochi, a new offshore terminal {{convert|1.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the shore allows docking for cruise ships with capacities of 3,000 passengers.{{cite web |url=http://www.wagmag.com/playing-in-the-snow/ |title=Playing in the snow |first=Cappy |last=Devlin |website=Wag Mag |access-date=June 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222014102/http://www.wagmag.com/playing-in-the-snow/ |archive-date=22 February 2014}} The cargo terminal of the seaport would be moved from the centre of Sochi.

Roadways were detoured, some going around the construction site and others being cut off.{{cite web|url=http://www.dp.ru/msk/news/transport/2007/10/08/240832/print/|title=Sochi authorities close the entrance to the city|access-date=1 June 2016|work=DP.ru|date=8 October 2007|language=ru}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

File:Электропоезд "Ласточка"..JPG train, which serves the Tuapse–Sochi route]]

In May 2009, Russian Railways started the construction of tunnel complex No. 1 (the final total is six) on the combined road (automobile and railway) from Adler to Alpica Service Mountain Resort in the Krasnaya Polyana region. The tunnel complex No. 1 is located near Akhshtyr in Adlersky City District, and includes:{{cite web|url=http://sochi2014.com/87553|title=Russian Railways started mountain tunnel complex construction from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana|access-date=25 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125071827/http://sochi2014.com/87553|archive-date=25 January 2010|df=dmy }} Interfax, 27 May 2009 {{in lang|ru}}

• Escape tunnel, {{convert|2.25|km}}, completed in 2010
• Road tunnel, {{convert|2153|m}}, completed in 2013
• One-track railway tunnel, {{convert|2473|m}}, completed in 2013

Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin stated the road construction costed more than 200 billion rubles.{{cite web|url=http://eng.rzd.ru/isvp/public/rzdeng?STRUCTURE_ID=15&layer_id=4839&id=105753|title=Russian Railways President Yakunin sums up investment programme for first 7 months of 2011|publisher=Russian Railways|access-date=17 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924192945/http://eng.rzd.ru/isvp/public/rzdeng?STRUCTURE_ID=15|archive-date=24 September 2011 }}

In addition, Sochi's railway stations were renovated. These are Dagomys, Sochi, Matsesta, Khosta, Lazarevskaya, and Loo railway stations. In Adler, a new railway station was built while the original building was preserved, and in the Olympic park cluster, a new station was built from scratch, the Olympic Park railway station. Another new railway station was built in Estosadok, close to Krasnaya Polyana.

File:ISS038-E-042992.jpg

Funds were spent on the construction of hotels for 10,300 guests.[http://sport.gazeta.ru/sport/2007/07/a_1880984.shtml "Sochi is not a place for recreation"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311011841/http://sport.gazeta.ru/sport/2007/07/a_1880984.shtml|date=11 March 2012 }} Gazeta.ru, 5 July 2007 {{in lang|ru}} The first of the Olympic hotels, Zvezdny (Stellar), was rebuilt anew.[http://rian.ru/sport/olympic_games/20070807/70510471.html "Construction of the first olympic hotel starts in Sochi"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415094433/http://rian.ru/sport/olympic_games/20070807/70510471.html|date=15 April 2008 }} RIA Novosti, 7 August 2007 {{in lang|ru}} Significant funds were spent on the construction of an advanced sewage treatment system in Sochi, designed by Olimpstroy. The system meets BREF standards and employs top available technologies for environment protection, including tertiary treatment with microfiltration.[https://web.archive.org/web/20061210022546/http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/next.jpg Archived copy] at WebCite (20 December 2006). Press Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russian Federation, 13 July 2009 {{in lang|ru}}

Six post offices were opened at competition venues, two of them in the main media centre in Olympic Park and in the mountain village of Estosadok. In addition to standard services, customers had access to unique services including two new products, Fotomarka and Retropismo. Fotomarka presents an opportunity to get a stylised sheet of eight souvenir stamps with one's own photos, using the services of a photographer in the office. Retropismo service allows a customer to write with their own stylus or pen on antique paper with further letters, winding string and wax seal affixing. All the new sites and post offices in Sochi were opened during the Olympics until late night 7 days a week, and employees were trained to speak English.{{cite web|url=http://tasstelecom.ru/news/one/26896|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109190257/http://tasstelecom.ru/news/one/26896|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 January 2014|title=Гости Олимпиады смогут отправить написанное пером письмо, оплатив почтовые услуги маркой с собственной фотографией|trans-title=Guests of the Olympics will be able to send a letter written with a pen, paying for postage with a stamp with their own photo|work=TASS Telecom|access-date=9 January 2014 }}

{{Main|2014 Winter Olympics torch relay}}File:2014 Winter Olympics torch relay (Moscow).ogv in Moscow]]

On 29 September 2013, the Olympic torch was lit in Ancient Olympia, beginning a seven-day journey across Greece and on to Russia, then the torch relay started at Moscow on 7 October 2013 before passing 83 Russian cities and arriving at Sochi on the day of the opening ceremony, 7 February 2014.{{cite news|title=Russia anti-gay law casts a shadow over Sochi's 2014 Olympics|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russia-anti-gay-law-casts-a-shadow-over-sochis-2014-olympics/2013/09/29/3646344c-27a6-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story.html?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=29 September 2013|first=Kathy|last=Lally|date=1 October 2013|archive-date=4 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404232207/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russia-anti-gay-law-casts-a-shadow-over-sochis-2014-olympics/2013/09/29/3646344c-27a6-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story.html?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost|url-status=live}} It is the longest torch relay in Olympic history, a {{convert|60,000|km|miles|adj=on|sigfig=1}} route that passes through all regions of the country, from Kaliningrad in the west to Chukotka in the east.

The Olympic torch reached the North Pole for first time via a nuclear-powered icebreaker (50 Let Pobedy). The torch was also passed for the first time in space, though not lit for the duration of the flight for safety reasons, on flight Soyuz TMA-11M to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft itself was adorned with Olympic-themed livery including the Games' emblem. Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazansky waved the torch on a spacewalk outside the ISS. The torch returned to Earth five days later on board Soyuz TMA-09M.{{cite web|title=Soyuz TMA-09M safely returns crew back to Earth|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/soyuz-tma-09m-undocking-landing/|work=NASASpaceFlight|date=10 November 2013|access-date=4 February 2014|archive-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228112953/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/soyuz-tma-09m-undocking-landing/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=9. listopadu 2013 17:51|url=http://technet.idnes.cz/kosmonauti-si-predali-olympijskou-pochoden-fzw-/tec_vesmir.aspx?c=A131109_174531_tec_vesmir_vez|title=Kosmonauti si poprvé ve volném vesmíru předali olympijskou pochodeň|date = 9 November 2013|publisher=Technet.idnes.cz|access-date=9 December 2013|archive-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113090024/http://technet.idnes.cz/kosmonauti-si-predali-olympijskou-pochoden-fzw-/tec_vesmir.aspx?c=A131109_174531_tec_vesmir_vez|url-status=live }} The torch also reached Europe's highest mountain, Mount Elbrus, and Siberia's Lake Baikal.{{cite news|last=Loumena|first=Dan|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-sochi-olympic-torch-lake-baikal-20131123,0,1499071.story|title=Sochi Olympic torch takes plunge into world's deepest lake|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=23 November 2013|access-date=9 December 2013|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212112056/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-sochi-olympic-torch-lake-baikal-20131123,0,1499071.story|url-status=live }}

{{main|2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|2014 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations}}

File:Opening of XXII Winter Olympic Games (2338-13).jpgs over Fisht Olympic Stadium following the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron.]]

File:Sochiolympicrings.jpg

The opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics was held on 7 February 2014 at Fisht Olympic Stadium, an indoor arena built specifically for the ceremonies. The ceremony featured scenes based around aspects of Russian history and arts, including ballet, classical music, the Russian Revolution, and the age of the Soviet Union. The opening scene of the ceremony featured a notable technical error, where one of five snowflakes, which were to expand to form the Olympic rings, malfunctioned and did not expand (a mishap mocked by the organizers at the closing ceremony where one of the roundrelay dance groups symbolizing the Olympic rings "failed" to expand). The torch was taken into the stadium by Maria Sharapova, who then passed it to Yelena Isinbayeva who, in turn, passed it to wrestler Aleksandr Karelin. Karelin then passed the torch to gymnast Alina Kabaeva. Figure skater Irina Rodnina took the torch and was met by former ice hockey goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak, who exited the stadium to jointly light the Olympic cauldron located near the center of Olympic Park.{{cite news|title=Sochi 2014 begins with teams, classical music and a flying girl|author=Faith Karimi|author2=Michael Martinez|publisher=CNN|date=7 February 2014|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/07/world/europe/russia-sochi-winter-olympics/|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205095709/http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/07/world/europe/russia-sochi-winter-olympics/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Olympics open in Sochi with extravagant pageant|date=7 February 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Kathy Lally|author2=Will Englund|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/olympics-open-in-sochi-with-extravagant-pageant/2014/02/07/bba8a5e2-9011-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html|access-date=8 February 2014|archive-date=13 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313040248/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/olympics-open-in-sochi-with-extravagant-pageant/2014/02/07/bba8a5e2-9011-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=News|url=http://www.sochi2014.com/en/voice-of-the-games|work=sochi2014.com|access-date=10 February 2014|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224153049/https://www.olympic.org/news|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Vladislav Tretyak and Irina Rodnina lit the Olympic flame at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/sochi-2014-winter-olympics/718089|access-date=4 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331105705/http://en.itar-tass.com/sochi-2014-winter-olympics/718089|archive-date=31 March 2014 }}

A record 88 nations qualified to compete,{{cite news|title=Record 88 nations to participate in Winter Games|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1123578/record-88-nations-to-participate-in-winter-games/|newspaper=Global News|location=Sochi, Russia|agency=Associated Press|date=2 February 2014|access-date=2 February 2014|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224013942/https://globalnews.ca/news/1123578/record-88-nations-to-participate-in-winter-games/|url-status=live }} which beat the previous record of 82 set at the previous Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The number of athletes who qualified per country is listed in the table below (number of athletes shown in parentheses). Seven nations made their Winter Olympics debut: Dominica, Malta, Paraguay, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, and Zimbabwe.{{cite news|last=MacKenzie|first=Eric|date=16 January 2014|title=Sochi Spotlight: Zimbabwe's first Winter Olympian|url=http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/sochi-spotlight-zimbabwes-first-winter-olympian/Content?oid=2542948|newspaper=Pique Newsmagazine|location=Whistler, British Columbia, Canada|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201144447/http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/sochi-spotlight-zimbabwes-first-winter-olympian/Content?oid=2542948|url-status=live }} Meanwhile, the Philippines returned to the Winter games after a 22-year absence, and Thailand, Virgin Islands, Luxembourg and Venezuela returned after 8 years. The Winter debut of Malta meant that for the first time ever, all of the current members of the European Olympic Committees participated at the Winter Olympics.

Kristina Krone qualified to compete in her second consecutive games for Puerto Rico, but the island's Olympic Committee once again chose not to send her to compete.{{cite news|last=Pagan Rivera|first=Esteban|date=12 January 2014|title=Kristina Krone: Quería ir a Sochi, pero nunca recibió contestación del Comité Olímpico|url=http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/nota/kristinakronequeriairasochiperonuncarecibiocontestaciondelcomiteolimpico-982330/|language=es|newspaper=Primerahora|access-date=12 January 2014|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113092013/http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/otros/nota/kristinakronequeriairasochiperonuncarecibiocontestaciondelcomiteolimpico-982330/|url-status=live }} Similarly, South Africa decided not to send alpine skier Sive Speelman to Sochi.{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/more-sport/sascoc-crush-speelman-s-olympic-dream-1.1635894#.UuMtRhAo7IU|title=Sascoc crush Speelman's Olympic dream|date=23 January 2014|publisher=IOL Sport|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124142808/http://www.iol.co.za/sport/more-sport/sascoc-crush-speelman-s-olympic-dream-1.1635894#.UuMtRhAo7IU|url-status=live }} Algeria also did not enter its only qualified athlete, Mehdi-Selim Khelifi.{{cite news|last=Dubault|first=Fabrice|date=24 January 2014|title=L'histoire invraisemblable de Mehdi Khelifi privé de J.O par l'Algérie|url=http://languedoc-roussillon.france3.fr/2014/01/24/l-histoire-invraisemblable-de-mehdi-khelifi-prive-de-jo-par-l-algerie-401707.html|newspaper=France 3|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=29 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129050654/http://languedoc-roussillon.france3.fr/2014/01/24/l-histoire-invraisemblable-de-mehdi-khelifi-prive-de-jo-par-l-algerie-401707.html|url-status=live }}

India's athletes originally competed as Independent Olympic Participants and marched under the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony, as India was originally suspended in December 2012 over the election process of the Indian Olympic Association.{{cite news|date=31 December 2013|title=Sochi Games: Four Indian skiers to go as independent athletes|url=http://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/sochi-games-four-indian-skiers-to-go-as-independent-athletes_777046.html|publisher=Zee news|access-date=31 December 2013|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102160545/http://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/sochi-games-four-indian-skiers-to-go-as-independent-athletes_777046.html|url-status=live }} On 11 February, the Indian Olympic Association was reinstated and India's athletes were allowed the option to compete under their own flag from that time onward.{{cite web|title=IOC Executive Board lifts suspension of NOC of India|url=http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-executive-board-lifts-suspension-of-noc-of-india/224038|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-date=11 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211224032/http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-executive-board-lifts-suspension-of-noc-of-india/224038|url-status=live}} Although Shiva Keshavan competed as an Independent athlete and is recorded as such, he was permitted to walk under the flag of India at the Closing Ceremony.

[[File:2014 Winter Olympic games countries.svg|thumb|center|upright=2.75|{{legend|#00ff7f|The participating countries at the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

{{legend|#1e90ff|Debuting countries at the Winter Olympics}}{{legend|yellow|Yellow circle is host city (Sochi)}}]]

[[File:2014 Winter olympics team numbers.svg|thumb|center|upright=2.75|Number of participating athletes by country

{{clear}}

During the Games some countries had a national house, a meeting place for supporters, athletes and other followers.{{cite web|title=National Olympic Houses|url=http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g298536-i3244-k7094879-National_Olympic_Houses-Sochi_Greater_Sochi_Krasnodar_Krai_Southern_District.html|publisher=tripadvisor|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403143059/http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g298536-i3244-k7094879-National_Olympic_Houses-Sochi_Greater_Sochi_Krasnodar_Krai_Southern_District.html|url-status=live }} Houses could be either free for visitors to access or have limited access by invitation only.

The 2014 Winter Olympics featured 98 events over 15 disciplines in 7 sports. A total of twelve new events were contested, making it the largest Winter Olympics to date.{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/news/what-s-new-for-sochi/218742|title=Discover the twelve new winter sports events for Sochi 2014!|publisher=International Olympic Committee|date=18 December 2013|access-date=4 February 2014|archive-date=10 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410020422/http://www.olympic.org/news/what-s-new-for-sochi/218742|url-status=live }}

{{colbegin}}

1. Biathlon
2. * {{GamesSport|Biathlon|Events=11}}
3. Bobsleigh
4. * {{GamesSport|Bobsleigh|Events=3}}
5. * {{GamesSport|Skeleton|Events=2}}
6. Curling
7. * {{GamesSport|Curling|Events=2}}
8. Ice hockey
9. * {{GamesSport|Ice hockey|Events=2}}
10. Luge
11. * {{GamesSport|Luge|Events=4}}
12. Skating
13. * {{GamesSport|Figure skating|Events=5}}
14. * {{GamesSport|Short track speed skating|Events=8}}
15. * {{GamesSport|Speed skating|Events=12}}
16. Skiing
17. * {{GamesSport|Alpine skiing|Events=10}}
18. * {{GamesSport|Cross-country skiing|Events=12}}
19. * {{GamesSport|Freestyle skiing|Events=10}}
20. * {{GamesSport|Nordic combined|Events=3}}
21. * {{GamesSport|Ski jumping|Events=4}}
22. * {{GamesSport|Snowboarding|Events=10}}

{{colend}}

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of medal events contested in each separate discipline.

File:Марки ПМР - Сочи 2014.jpg of Transnistria, Sochi Olympic Games (2014)]]

On 6 April 2011, the IOC accepted a number of events that were submitted by their respective sports federations to be considered for inclusion into the official program of these Olympic Games.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/winter-sports/12986716|title=Women's ski jumping gets 2014 Sochi Olympics go-ahead|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|date=6 April 2011|access-date=19 February 2014|archive-date=14 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414043455/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/winter-sports/12986716|url-status=live }}

The events included a Figure skating team event, Women's ski jumping, Mixed relay biathlon, Ski half-pipe, and Team relay luge.

On 4 July 2011, the IOC announced that three events would be added to the program.{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Anna|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/winter-sports/14027838|title=Slopestyle given Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics go-ahead|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|date=5 July 2011|access-date=19 February 2014|archive-date=11 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411084503/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/winter-sports/14027838|url-status=live }} These events, which were officially declared by Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge on 4 July 2011, were: Ski slopestyle, Snowboard slopestyle, Snowboard parallel special slalom.{{cite web|date=July 4, 2011|title=Slopestyle Approved For Sochi 2014|url=http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1216135778.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904041143/http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1216135778.html|archive-date=September 4, 2011}}

Team alpine skiing was also presented as a candidate for inclusion in the Olympic program but the executive board of the IOC rejected this proposal. The International Ski Federation persisted with the nomination and this was considered.{{cite web|url=http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/news/pressreleases/press-releases-2010/fis-congress-2010-decisi.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100610235611/http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/news/pressreleases/press-releases-2010/fis-congress-2010-decisi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2010|title=FIS Congress 2010 Decisions|publisher=FIS-Ski|access-date=23 March 2011}} There were reports of bandy possibly being added to the sports program,{{cite web|url=http://infox.ru/sport/hockey/2010/06/04/FHR_nye_pomozhyet_by.phtml|title=Russian ice hockey will be skating in Sochi|publisher=AktivMedia|work=Infox.ru|date=7 June 2010|access-date=23 March 2011|archive-date=8 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208043626/http://infox.ru/sport/hockey/2010/06/04/FHR_nye_pomozhyet_by.phtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/olympics/29bandy.html?pagewanted=all|title=It's Not Hockey, It's Bandy|newspaper=The New York Times|date=29 January 2010|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006162757/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/olympics/29bandy.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live|last1=Klein|first1=Jeff Z.}}{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/comment/no-time-to-relax-the-show-must-go-on-again-1-1432453 |title=No time to relax! The show must go on...again! |publisher=Eastbourne Herald |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=June 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204202129/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/columnists/no-time-to-relax-the-show-must-go-on-again-1-1432453 |archive-date=December 4, 2013}} but the IOC rejected this request. Subsequently, the international governing body, Federation of International Bandy, decided that Irkutsk and Shelekhov in Russia would host the 2014 Bandy World Championship just before the Olympics.

On 28 November 2006, the executive board of the IOC decided not to include ski mountaineering,{{cite web|url=http://themountainworld.blogspot.com/2006/12/no-olympics-for-ski-mountaineering.html|title=No Olympics for Ski Mountaineering|date=12 December 2006|access-date=2 April 2012|publisher=The Mountain World|archive-date=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226142947/http://themountainworld.blogspot.com/2006/12/no-olympics-for-ski-mountaineering.html|url-status=live}} ski-orienteering,{{cite web|url=http://orienteering.org/no-inclusion-of-ski-orienteering-in-the-ioc-review-process-for-2014/|title=No inclusion of ski orienteering in the IOC review process for 2014|access-date=2 April 2012|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920092843/http://orienteering.org/no-inclusion-of-ski-orienteering-in-the-ioc-review-process-for-2014/|archive-date=20 September 2012|url-status=dead}} or winter triathlon in the review process of the program.{{cite web|title=Olympic Programme Updates|date=28 November 2006|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1972|publisher=International Olympic Committee|work=Olympic.org|access-date=20 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915063849/http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1972|archive-date=15 September 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy }}

{{main|2014 Winter Olympics closing ceremony}}

The closing ceremony was held on 23 February 2014 between 20:14 MSK (UTC+4) and 22:25 MSK (UTC+4) at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.{{cite web|url=http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-sochi-2014-closing-ceremony-unites-olympic-generations|title=Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony Unites Olympic Generations|work=Sochi 2014|date=23 February 2014|access-date=24 February 2014|archive-date=24 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224194445/http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-sochi-2014-closing-ceremony-unites-olympic-generations|url-status=live }}

The ceremony was dedicated to Russian culture featuring world-renowned Russian stars like conductor and violinist Yuri Bashmet, conductor Valery Gergiev, pianist Denis Matsuev, singer Hibla Gerzmava and violinist Tatiana Samouil. These artists were joined by performers from the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters.

File:SochiOlympicMedals.jpg

{{main|List of 2014 Winter Olympics medal winners}}

Sochi's medal design was unveiled in May 2013. The design is intended to resemble Sochi's landscape, with a semi-translucent section containing a "patchwork quilt" of diamonds representing mountains; the diamonds themselves contain designs that reflect Russia's regions.{{cite web|title=Sochi 2014 Unveils Olympic Medals|url=http://www.olympic.org/news/sochi-2014-unveils-olympic-medals/199839|work=Olympic.org|access-date=4 February 2014|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203214302/http://www.olympic.org/news/sochi-2014-unveils-olympic-medals/199839|url-status=live}} Those who won gold medals on 15 February received special medals with fragments of the Chelyabinsk meteor, marking the one-year anniversary of the event where pieces of the cosmic body fell into the Chebarkul Lake in the Ural Mountains in central Russia.{{cite news|title = Winners at Sochi Winter Olympics to receive pieces of Russia meteorite|date = 26 July 2013|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10203817/Winners-at-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-to-receive-pieces-of-Russia-meteorite.html|newspaper = The Telegraph|access-date = 28 July 2013|location = London|archive-date = 28 July 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130728121646/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10203817/Winners-at-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-to-receive-pieces-of-Russia-meteorite.html|url-status = live}}

{{Main|2014 Winter Olympics medal table}}

The top ten listed NOCs by number of gold medals are listed below. The host nation, Russia, is highlighted.

{{:2014 Winter Olympics medal table}}

{{note label|a|a}} Legkov and Vylegzhanin were initially disqualified by the IOC for doping offenses in November 2017, and their 2014 Olympic medals (gold and silver respectively) were stripped. However, their results were restored on 1 February 2018 following a successful appeal.

{{main|Chronological summary of the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

{{#section:Chronological summary of the 2014 Winter Olympics|Calendar}}

Security during both the Olympics and Paralympics were handled by over 40,000 law enforcement officials, including police and the Russian Armed Forces.{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20131030/184432800.html|title=Russian Police to Speak 3 Languages at Sochi Olympics – Ministry|publisher=RIA Novosti|access-date=6 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210021753/http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20131030/184432800.html|archive-date=10 December 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130930/183866130/Russian-Military-to-Ensure-Security-at-2014-Olympics.html|title=Russian Military to Ensure Security at 2014 Olympics|date=30 September 2013|publisher=RIA Novosti|access-date=6 December 2013|archive-date=10 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210021320/http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20130930/183866130/Russian-Military-to-Ensure-Security-at-2014-Olympics.html|url-status=live}} A presidential decree signed by President Vladimir Putin took effect on 7 January, requiring that any protests and demonstrations in Sochi and the surrounding area through 21 March (the end of the Paralympics) be approved by the Federal Security Service.{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20131206/185305332/Sochi-Olympic-Protests-to-Require-Approval-from-Russias-Security.html|title=Sochi Olympic Protests to Require Approval from Russia's Security Service|publisher=RIA Novosti|access-date=6 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210023449/http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20131206/185305332/Sochi-Olympic-Protests-to-Require-Approval-from-Russias-Security.html|archive-date=10 December 2013 }} For the duration of the decree, travel restrictions were also in effect in and around Sochi: "controlled" zones, dubbed the "ring of steel" by the media, covered the Coastal and Mountain clusters which encompass all of the Games' venues and infrastructure, including transport hubs such as railway stations. To enter controlled areas, visitors were required to pass through security checkpoints with X-ray machines, metal detectors and explosive material scanners.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10613022/Sochi-Olympic-organisers-face-accommodation-crisis.html|title=Sochi Olympic organisers face accommodation crisis|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2 February 2014|access-date=2 February 2014|location=London|first1=Roland|last1=Oliphant|first2=Jack|last2=Lundy|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203144910/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10613022/Sochi-Olympic-organisers-face-accommodation-crisis.html|url-status=live}} Several areas were designated as "forbidden", including Sochi National Park and the border with Abkhazia.{{cite news|title=The shambles behind the scenes at Sochi|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10618744/The-shambles-behind-the-scenes-at-Sochi.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 February 2014|location=London|first=Roland|last=Oliphant|date=5 February 2014|archive-date=5 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205225130/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10618744/The-shambles-behind-the-scenes-at-Sochi.html|url-status=live}} An unmanned aerial vehicle squadron, along with S-400 and Pantsir-S1 air defense rockets were used to protect Olympic airspace. Four gunboats were also deployed on the Black Sea to protect the coastline.{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1630|title=Russia takes unprecedented security measures ahead of Sochi Olympics|publisher=ITAR TASS|access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111210701/http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1630|archive-date=11 January 2014|url-status=dead}}

A number of security organizations and forces began stationing in and around Sochi in January 2014; Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) was stationed in Sochi for the Games beginning on 7 January 2014.{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/713964|title=Space monitoring systems of emergency situations deployed in Sochi|work=ITAR TASS|access-date=9 January 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109104001/http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/713964|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/sochi-2014-winter-olympics/716490|title=Russian emergencies minister praises Sochi security system|work=ITAR TASS|date=27 January 2014|access-date=27 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204055623/http://en.itar-tass.com/sochi-2014-winter-olympics/716490|archive-date= 4 February 2014 }} A group of 10,000 Internal Troops of the Ministry of Interior also provided security services during the Games.{{cite news|url=http://rbth.co.uk/news/2014/01/15/internal_troops_to_provide_security_at_sochi_olympics_33250.html|title=Internal Troops to provide security at Sochi Olympics|newspaper=Russia Beyond the Headlines|date=15 January 2014|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212005305/http://rbth.co.uk/news/2014/01/15/internal_troops_to_provide_security_at_sochi_olympics_33250.html|url-status=live}} In mid-January, 1,500 Siberian Regional Command troops were stationed in a military town near Krasnaya Polyana.{{cite web|url=http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/siberia-joins-national-effort-to-make-the-sochi-olympics-safe-and-successful/|title=Siberia joins national effort to make the Sochi Olympics safe and successful|work=Siberia Times|date=16 January 2014|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-date=18 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118061230/http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/siberia-joins-national-effort-to-make-the-sochi-olympics-safe-and-successful/|url-status=live}} A group of 400 Cossacks in traditional uniforms were also present to accompany police patrols.{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140109/186366774/Sochi-Drafts-In-Cossacks-for-Olympic-Security.html|title=Sochi Drafts In Cossacks for Olympic Security|date=9 January 2014|publisher=RIA Novosti|access-date=9 January 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109225002/http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140109/186366774/Sochi-Drafts-In-Cossacks-for-Olympic-Security.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130719/182323209/Some-300-Cossacks-to-Help-Police-Sochi-Olympics.html|title=Some 300 Cossacks to Help Police Sochi Olympics|date=19 July 2013|publisher=RIA Novosti|access-date=9 January 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109222923/http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130719/182323209/Some-300-Cossacks-to-Help-Police-Sochi-Olympics.html|url-status=live}} The 58th Army unit of the Russian Armed Forces were defending the Georgia–Russia border.{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/sochi2014/Olympic-Teams-Prepare-for-Possible-Security-Crisis-in-Sochi.html|title=Olympic Teams Prepare for Possible Security Crisis in Sochi|work=The Moscow Times|date=22 January 2014|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123043543/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/sochi2014/Olympic-Teams-Prepare-for-Possible-Security-Crisis-in-Sochi.html|url-status=live}} The United States also supplied Navy ships and other assets for security purposes.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-offers-us-security-assistance-to-putin-as-olympic-terror-fears-mount/|title=Obama offers US security assistance to Putin as Olympic terror fears mount|publisher=Fox News|date=22 January 2014|access-date=4 February 2014|archive-date=10 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210013827/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/22/olympic-fears-mount-despite-putin-assurances/|url-status=live}}

All communication and Internet traffic by Sochi residents was captured and filtered through deep packet inspection systems at all mobile networks using the SORM system.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/06/sochi-olympic-venues-kremlin-surveillance|title=As Sochi Olympic venues are built, so are Kremlin's surveillance networks|date=6 October 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129190553/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/06/sochi-olympic-venues-kremlin-surveillance|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/06/russia-monitor-communications-sochi-winter-olympics|title=Russia to monitor 'all communications' at Winter Olympics in Sochi|last=Walker|first=Shaun|date=6 October 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413223031/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/06/russia-monitor-communications-sochi-winter-olympics|url-status=live}}

Former professional speed skater and current deputy of the Russian State Duma Svetlana Zhurova has stated that the 2014 Sochi Olympics were Vladimir Putin's personal project to showcase Russia to the world.{{Cite web|url=https://sportfm.ru/news/zhurova-olimpiada-v-sochi-eto-proekt-putina.html|title = Журова: Олимпиада в Сочи - это проект Путина - Спорт FM|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224214309/https://sportfm.ru/news/zhurova-olimpiada-v-sochi-eto-proekt-putina.html|url-status=live }}

Organizers received several threats prior to the Games. In a July 2013 video release, Chechen Islamist commander Dokka Umarov called for attacks on the Games, stating that the Games were being staged "on the bones of many, many Muslims killed ... and buried on our lands extending to the Red Sea".{{cite news|title=Caucasus Emirate Leader Calls On Insurgents To Thwart Sochi Winter Olympics|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/sochi-olympics-terrorism-umarov/25035408.html|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=3 July 2013 |access-date=13 February 2014|archive-date=30 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130071614/http://www.rferl.org/content/sochi-olympics-terrorism-umarov/25035408.html|url-status=live}}

Threats were received from the group Vilayat Dagestan, which had claimed responsibility for the Volgograd bombings under the demands of Umarov, and a number of National Olympic Committees had also received threats via e-mail, threatening that terrorists would kidnap or "blow up" athletes during the Games. However, while the IOC did state that the letters "[contained] no threat and appears to be a random message from a member of the public", the U.S. ski and snowboarding teams hired a private security agency to provide additional protection during the Games.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/10590826/Winter-Olympics-2014-email-threat-to-blow-up-athletes-at-Sochi-Games-dismissed-by-IOC.html|title=Winter Olympics 2014: email threat to 'blow up' athletes at Sochi Games dismissed by IOC|work=The Telegraph|date=22 January 2014|access-date=30 January 2014|location=London|first=Ben|last=Rumsby|archive-date=29 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129002113/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/10590826/Winter-Olympics-2014-email-threat-to-blow-up-athletes-at-Sochi-Games-dismissed-by-IOC.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140122/186809712.html|title=European Olympic Committees Report Sochi Terror Threats|publisher=En.ria.ru|date=22 January 2014|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=7 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207225822/http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140122/186809712.html|url-status=live }}

{{main|List of 2014 Winter Olympics broadcasters}}

In most regions, broadcast rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics were packaged together with broadcast rights for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but some broadcasters obtained rights to further games as well. Domestic broadcast rights were sold by Sportfive to a consortium of three Russian broadcasters: Channel One, VGTRK, and NTV Plus.{{cite news|last=Love|first=Tom|title=Sportfive concludes Olympic agreement in Russia|url=http://sportspromedia.com/news/sportfive_concludes_olympic_agreement_in_russia/|access-date=4 September 2012|work=SportsPro|date=3 September 2012|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602124206/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sportfive_concludes_olympic_agreement_in_russia|url-status=live}}

In the United States, the 2014 Winter Olympics were the first in a new, US$4.38 billion contract with NBCUniversal, extending its broadcast rights to the Olympic Games through 2020.{{cite web|title=Lazarus: We Believe Sochi Olympics Will Be Profitable|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491704-Lazarus_We_Believe_Sochi_Olympics_Will_Be_Profitable.php|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=13 August 2013|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001110/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491704-Lazarus_We_Believe_Sochi_Olympics_Will_Be_Profitable.php|url-status=live}}

In Canada, after losing the 2010 and 2012 Games to Bell Media and Rogers Media, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation re-gained broadcast rights to the Olympics for the first time since 2008, gaining rights to the 2014 and 2016 Games. Bell and Rogers sub-licensed pay-TV rights for their TSN, Sportsnet and Réseau des sports networks, as well as TVA Group's TVA Sports.{{cite web|title=Sportsnet to air 200 hours of Sochi Games|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/2013/02/07/sportsnet_reaches_olympic_sub_license_deal/|publisher=Sportsnet|access-date=8 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213143302/http://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/2013/02/07/sportsnet_reaches_olympic_sub_license_deal/|archive-date=13 February 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|title=CBC/Radio Canada welcomes partners in 2014 Sochi Olympics coverage|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/2.723/cbc-radio-canada-welcomes-partners-in-2014-sochi-olympics-coverage-1.1411840|publisher=CBC|access-date=8 February 2013|archive-date=10 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210053524/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/story/2013/02/07/sp-cbc-sports-sochi-olympics-tv-coverage.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=CBC/Radio-Canada seals agreement with TVA Sports for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1157471/cbc-radio-canada-seals-agreement-with-tva-sports-for-the-sochi-2014-olympic-winter-games|access-date=3 May 2013|newspaper=Canada Newswire|date=2 May 2013|archive-date=25 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525124723/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1157471/cbc-radio-canada-seals-agreement-with-tva-sports-for-the-sochi-2014-olympic-winter-games|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=CBC wins rights to 2014, 2016 Olympic Games|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cbc-wins-rights-to-2014-2016-olympic-games-1.1170919|publisher=CBC Sports|access-date=1 August 2012|archive-date=3 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803132739/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2012/08/01/cbc-olympics-rights.html|url-status=live}}

In Australia, after all three major commercial networks pulled out of bidding on rights to both the 2014 and 2016 Games due to cost concerns, the IOC awarded broadcast rights to just the 2014 Winter Olympics to Network Ten for A$20 million.{{cite news|title=Olympic fury over rules for TV sport|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/olympic-fury-over-rules-for-tv-sport/story-e6frg996-1226320796182|access-date=13 August 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=7 April 2012|archive-date=14 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314081133/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/olympic-fury-over-rules-for-tv-sport/story-e6frg996-1226320796182|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Seven withdraws from bidding for Olympics as price tag proves too great for TV networks|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/other-sports/seven-withdraws-from-bidding-for-olympics-as-price-tag-proves-too-great-for-tv-networks/story-e6frf56c-1226614918163#.UgooyX_4Xmt|access-date=13 August 2013|newspaper=Fox Sports|date=8 April 2013|archive-date=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008152220/http://www.foxsports.com.au/other-sports/seven-withdraws-from-bidding-for-olympics-as-price-tag-proves-too-great-for-tv-networks/story-e6frf56c-1226614918163#.UgooyX_4Xmt|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=MacKay|first=Duncan|title=Ten Network signs $20 million deal to broadcast Sochi 2014 in Australia, claim reports|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/1014188-ten-network-sign-20-million-deal-to-broadcast-sochi-2014-in-australia-claim-reports|access-date=13 August 2013|newspaper=Inside the Games|date=12 May 2013|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222342/http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/1014188-ten-network-sign-20-million-deal-to-broadcast-sochi-2014-in-australia-claim-reports|url-status=live}}

Several broadcasters used the Games to trial the emerging ultra high definition television (UHDTV) standard. Both NTV Plus and Comcast filmed portions of the Games in 4K resolution; Comcast offered its content through smart TV apps, while NTV+ held public and cinema viewings of the content. NHK filmed portions of the Games in 8K resolution for public viewing. Olympic sponsor Panasonic filmed the opening ceremony in 4K.{{cite news|title=Comcast to Produce Olympics 2014 in Ultra HD|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/comcast-produce-olympics-2014-ultra-668955|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=27 January 2014|first=Adrian|last=Pennington|archive-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124215249/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/comcast-produce-olympics-2014-ultra-668955|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Russia to transmit 4K from Sochi|url=http://www.tvbeurope.com/ibc-content/full/russia-to-transmit-4k-from-sochi|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140127173052/http://www.tvbeurope.com/ibc-content/full/russia-to-transmit-4k-from-sochi|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 January 2014|work=TVBEurope|publisher=NewBay Media|access-date=27 January 2014 }}{{cite web|url =http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1591|title =Putin cancels New Year holidays for officials responsible for Winter Games|work =ITAR-TASS|access-date =30 November 2013|archive-date =3 December 2013|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014534/http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1591|url-status =live}}{{cite web|last=Pennington|first=Adrian|url=http://www.streamingmediaglobal.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=94593&PageNum=2|title=Sochi Games to Set Record for Live and VOD Streaming|work=Streaming Media Europe|date=4 February 2014|access-date=8 February 2014|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222175503/http://www.streamingmediaglobal.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=94593&PageNum=2|url-status=live }}

{{main|Concerns and controversies at the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

A variety of concerns over the Games, or Russia's hosting of the Games, had been expressed by various entities. Concerns were shown over Russia's policies surrounding the LGBT community, including the government's denial of a proposed Pride House for the Games on moral grounds, and a federal law passed in June 2013 which criminalized the distribution of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" among minors.{{cite web|title=Judge bans Sochi 2014 gay Pride House claiming it would offend 'public morality'|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/16259-judge-bans-winter-olympics-gay-pride-house|work=Inside the Games|date=18 March 2012 |access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=11 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211222053/http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/16259-judge-bans-winter-olympics-gay-pride-house|url-status=live |last1=Gold |first1=David }}{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Ted|title=Russia's Anti-Gay Laws Present Challenge for NBC's Olympics Coverage|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/russia-7-1200567694/|access-date=25 July 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=24 July 2013|archive-date=26 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726171019/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/russia-7-1200567694/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Fierstein|first=Harvey|title=Russia's Anti-Gay Crackdown|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/opinion/russias-anti-gay-crackdown.html?_r=0|access-date=25 July 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 July 2013|archive-date=25 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725165740/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/opinion/russias-anti-gay-crackdown.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Gays in Russia Find No Haven, Despite Support From the West|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/world/europe/gays-in-russia-find-no-haven-despite-support-from-the-west.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=10 February 2014|first=David M.|last=Herszenhorn|date=11 August 2013|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304193056/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/world/europe/gays-in-russia-find-no-haven-despite-support-from-the-west.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Skybenko|first=Ella|title=Companies can help advance human rights; Sochi shows they rarely use it|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sochi-winter-olympics-sponsor-companies-human-rights|access-date=8 February 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 February 2014|archive-date=7 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207210349/http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sochi-winter-olympics-sponsor-companies-human-rights|url-status=live}} Severe cost overruns made the 2014 Winter Olympics the most expensive Olympics in history, with Russian politician Boris Nemtsov citing allegations of corruption among government officials,{{cite news|last=Bennetts|first=Marc|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/10581829/Sochi-Olympics-Nothing-but-a-monstrous-scam-says-Kremlin-critic.html|title=Winter Olympics 2014: Sochi Games 'nothing but a monstrous scam', says Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov|work=Telegraph|date=19 January 2014|access-date=4 February 2014|location=London|archive-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124122617/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/10581829/Sochi-Olympics-Nothing-but-a-monstrous-scam-says-Kremlin-critic.html|url-status=live}} and Allison Stewart of the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford citing tight relationships between the government and construction firms.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21581764-most-expensive-olympic-games-history-offer-rich-pickings-select-few-castles|title=The Sochi Olympics: Castles in the sand|newspaper=The Economist|date=13 July 2013|access-date=8 August 2013|archive-date=9 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809153715/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21581764-most-expensive-olympic-games-history-offer-rich-pickings-select-few-castles|url-status=live}} It was reported that Putin's annexation of Crimea may have been intended to distract local Russians from corruption stories related to the Games.{{Cite news|date=March 26, 2014|title=Crimea: Putin's Olympic diversion|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/26/crimea-putins-olympic-diversion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116202409/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/26/crimea-putins-olympic-diversion/|archive-date=January 16, 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Fernholz|first=Tim|date=February 9, 2018|title=Maybe this year Russia won't start a war during the Olympics|url=https://qz.com/1203504/2018-winter-olympics-russia-probably-wont-start-a-war-during-this-years-olympics/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414032024/https://qz.com/1203504/2018-winter-olympics-russia-probably-wont-start-a-war-during-this-years-olympics/|archive-date=April 14, 2021|website=Quartz|language=en}}

{{anchor|Media coverage}}

U.S. broadcaster NBC largely avoided broadcasting material critical of Russia, although several segments deemed "overly friendly to Russia" were criticized by some commentators.{{cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=21 February 2014 |title=In coverage of Olympics, NBC has largely steered clear of controversy |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/olympics/in-coverage-of-olympics-nbc-has-largely-steered-clear-of-controversy/2014/02/21/5e68a088-99aa-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225032004/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/olympics/in-coverage-of-olympics-nbc-has-largely-steered-clear-of-controversy/2014/02/21/5e68a088-99aa-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html |archive-date=25 February 2014}}

Following the closing ceremony, commentators evaluated the Games to have been successful overall.{{cite news |last=Sappenfield |first=Mark |date=24 February 2014 |title=Sochi Olympics report card: So how good were Putin's Games? |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Olympics/2014/0224/Sochi-Olympics-report-card-So-how-good-were-Putin-s-Games-video |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224215834/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Olympics/2014/0224/Sochi-Olympics-report-card-So-how-good-were-Putin-s-Games-video |archive-date=24 February 2014}}{{cite news |last=Grohmann |first=Karolos |date=23 February 2014 |title='Excellent' Sochi Games proved critics wrong, says IOC's Bach |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/olympics-sochi-bach-idINDEEA1M08W20140223 |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104170742/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/23/olympics-sochi-bach-idINDEEA1M08W20140223 |archive-date=4 November 2014}}

File:Çerkez sürgününün anılması 1.jpg commemorate the Circassian genocide in Taksim, Istanbul]]

Some Circassian organizations objected to the Games being held on land their ancestors held until 1864,Jaimoukha, Amjad. Ancient Circassian Cultures and Nations in the First Millennium BCE. pp. 1–7, 9–14{{full citation needed|reason=date, publisher?|date=March 2022}}Encyclopædia Britannica entry for Circassians: "From ancient times Circassia, comprising roughly the northwestern region of the Caucasus, acquired the exotic reputation common to lands occupying a crucial area between rival empires..."{{full citation needed|reason=which edition/year?|date=March 2022}} when most of them were displaced at the end of the Russian-Circassian War (1763–1864), in the Circassian genocide.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS104971+22-May-2009+PRN20090522|title=145th Anniversary of the Circassian Genocide and the Sochi Olympics Issue|date=22 May 2009|work=Reuters|access-date=28 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702174523/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/05/22/idUS104971%2B22-May-2009%2BPRN20090522|archive-date=2 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/world/europe/21georgia.html|title=Georgia Says Russia Committed Genocide in 19th Century|author=Ellen Barry|date=20 May 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-date=14 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314221518/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/world/europe/21georgia.html|url-status=live}} The use of Krasnaya Polyana ("Red Hill" or "Red Glade") as an event site was considered insensitive, as it was named for a group of Circassians who were defeated in a bloody battle with Russians while attempting to return home over it in 1864.{{cite news|date=9 February 2010|author=Andrea Alexander|title=North Jersey Circassians 'in exile' launch Olympic protest|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/North_Jersey_Circassians_in_exile_launch_Olympic_protest.html?c=y&page=1|work=The Record|access-date=13 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221155528/http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/North_Jersey_Circassians_in_exile_launch_Olympic_protest.html?c=y&page=1|archive-date=21 February 2014 }}{{cite news|date=6 February 2014|author=Gabriele Barbati|title=Circassians Protest Winter Olympics Being Held At Sochi Genocide Site|work=International Business Times|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/circassians-protest-winter-olympics-being-held-sochi-genocide-site-1553582|access-date=10 February 2014|archive-date=16 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216183938/http://www.ibtimes.com/circassians-protest-winter-olympics-being-held-sochi-genocide-site-1553582|url-status=live}} Some Circassian groups demanded that the Games be cancelled or moved unless Russia apologized for their actions.{{cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL9255154|work = Reuters|title = Olympics-IOC says Russia-Georgia conflict 'a sad reality'|date = 9 August 2008|access-date = 6 October 2017|archive-date = 17 September 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917131803/https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL9255154|url-status = live }} Other groups did not outright object to the Games, but suggested that symbols of Circassian history and culture be incorporated into the Games, as Australia, the United States and Canada did for their indigenous cultures in 2000, 2002, and 2010 respectively.Azamat Bram. [http://iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=339641&apc_state=henpcrs "Circassians Voice Olympian Anger"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108124552/https://iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=339641&apc_state=henpcrs|date=8 January 2016 }}. Institute for War and Peace Reporting Caucasus Reporting Service No. 413, 5 October 2007. Retrieved on 2 April 2010.

{{Main|Doping in Russia|McLaren Report|Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

Following the Games, reports began to emerge that the Russian Olympic team had participated in a state-run doping program, which supplied their athletes with performance-enhancing drugs. These allegations first emerged in a December 2014 documentary by German public broadcaster ARD,{{cite news|last1=Olterman|first1=Philip|title=Russia accused of athletics doping cover-up on German TV|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/03/russia-accused-athletics-doping-cover-up-olympics|access-date=9 November 2015|work=Guardian|date=3 December 2014|archive-date=7 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107212022/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/03/russia-accused-athletics-doping-cover-up-olympics|url-status=live}} and were detailed further in a May 2016 report by The New York Times—which published allegations by Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the former director of Russia's anti-doping laboratory. Rodchenkov alleged that a conspiracy of corrupt anti-doping officials, FSB intelligence agents, and compliant Russian athletes used banned substances to gain an unfair advantage during the Games.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html|title= Russian Insider Says State-Run Doping Fueled Olympic Gold|first1= Rebecca R.|last1= Ruiz|first2= Michael|last2= Schwirtz|work= The New York Times|date= 12 May 2016|access-date= 23 February 2017|archive-date= 30 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171230032229/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html|url-status= live }}{{cite news|title=Mystery in Sochi Doping Case Lies With Tamper-Proof Bottle|first1=Rebecca R.|last1=Ruiz|first2=Michael|last2=Schwirtz|work=The New York Times|date=13 May 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html?_r=0|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-date=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517132147/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html?_r=0|url-status=live }} Rodchenkov stated that the FSB tampered with over 100 urine samples as part of a cover-up, and that at least fifteen of the Russian medals won in Sochi were the result of doping.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/01/wada-world-anti-doping-russia-olympics-games-sochi-david-howman|title= New doping report will influence decision on Russia's place at Olympics|first= Owen|last= Gibson|work= The Guardian|date= 1 June 2016|access-date= 6 July 2016|archive-date= 4 November 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161104180102/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/01/wada-world-anti-doping-russia-olympics-games-sochi-david-howman|url-status= live }}{{cite web|title=Russian athletics: IAAF upholds ban before Rio Olympics|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/17/russia-rio-olympics-ban-doping-iaaf-sebastian-coe|website=The Guardian|date=17 June 2016|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712032130/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/17/russia-rio-olympics-ban-doping-iaaf-sebastian-coe|url-status=live}}

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commissioned an independent report by Richard McLaren, which corroborated claims that Russian authorities had been discreetly swapping out urine samples that tested positive for performance-enhancing substances. The report concluded that the program had been operating from "at least late 2011 to August 2015", and had covered up 643 positive samples across Olympic and non-Olympic sports.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/17100024|title=Takeaways from McLaren report? Confusion, corruption, cynicism|date=18 July 2016|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003062002/http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/17100024|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/sports/olympics/russia-doping.html?_r=0|title= Russians No Longer Dispute Olympic Doping Operation|first= Rebecca R.|last= Ruiz|work= The New York Times|date= 27 December 2016|access-date= 23 February 2017|archive-date= 31 December 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161231063547/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/sports/olympics/russia-doping.html?_r=0|url-status= live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations|title=McLaren Independent Investigations Report into Sochi Allegations|date=18 July 2016|publisher=WADA|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=23 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723002111/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations|url-status=live}} As a result, WADA considered the Russian Anti-Doping Agency to be non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, and recommended that Russia be banned from competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/news/2016-07/wada-statement-independent-investigation-confirms-russian-state-manipulation-of|title=WADA Statement: Independent Investigation confirms Russian State manipulation of the doping control process|date=18 July 2016|publisher=WADA|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203122912/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/news/2016-07/wada-statement-independent-investigation-confirms-russian-state-manipulation-of|url-status=live}}

Russia was not banned from the 2016 Olympics by the IOC, a decision that was widely criticized by both athletes{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/36879353|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Wada criticises IOC for failing to ban Russian team|work=BBC Sport|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-date=5 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805002938/http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/36879353|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6781079-canadian-athletes-critical-of-ioc-decision/|title=Canadian athletes critical of IOC decision|date=24 July 2016|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829032908/https://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6781079-canadian-athletes-critical-of-ioc-decision/|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/british-olympians-slam-spineless-ioc-over-russia-112117699--oly.html|title=British Olympians slam 'spineless IOC' over Russia|work=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828193716/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/british-olympians-slam-spineless-ioc-over-russia-112117699--oly.html|url-status=live}} and writers;{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/07/24/international-olympic-committees-dereliction-of-duty-over-russia/|title=International Olympic Committee's dereliction of duty over Russia weakens bond between spectator and spectacle|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 July 2016|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-date=27 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727092455/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/07/24/international-olympic-committees-dereliction-of-duty-over-russia/|url-status=live|last1=Hayward|first1=Paul}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/jul/24/ioc-chaos-russia-olympics-rio-2016-doping|title=IOC chooses obfuscation and chaos on Russia competing at Olympics|date=24 July 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-date=13 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813193521/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/jul/24/ioc-chaos-russia-olympics-rio-2016-doping|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/sports/olympics/russia-doping-ioc-president-thomas-bach.html|title=Russia Decision Muddies Legacy of I.O.C. President Thomas Bach|last=Macur|first=Juliet|date=25 July 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-date=31 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731034200/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/sports/olympics/russia-doping-ioc-president-thomas-bach.html|url-status=live}} the IOC only required Russia's athletes to be cleared by an internal panel and their respective sports federations.{{Cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/36970627|title= Rio 2016: 270 Russians cleared to compete at Olympic Games|work= BBC Sport|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160804174234/http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/36970627|archive-date=4 August 2016|access-date= 4 August 2016}} The IAAF had suspended Russia from international track and field events due to the scandal, but did allow Darya Klishina to participate in the Olympics because she was confirmed not to be a part of a doping program, despite claims that surfaced in her appeal that a sample of Klishina's that had been collected on 26 February 2014 had yielded an illegal testosterone/epitestosterone ratio of 8.5 had been subject

to a "SAVE" order by the Ministry of Sport on 3 March 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://jurisprudence.tas-cas.org/Shared%20Documents/OG%2016-024.pdf#search=klishina|title=Archived copy|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717194256/https://jurisprudence.tas-cas.org/Shared%20Documents/OG%2016-024.pdf#search=klishina|url-status=live }}{{Cite news|title = Athletics doping: Russia provisionally suspended by IAAF|work = BBC Sport|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/34811896|access-date = 14 November 2015|archive-date = 13 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151113220344/http://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/34811896|url-status = live}}{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-russia-klishina-exclusiv-idUSKCN10Q0BK|title= Exclusive: Russia's Klishina to compete after appeal upheld|first= Jack|last= Stubbs|work= Reuters|date= 15 August 2016|access-date= 4 October 2018|archive-date= 5 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170805022117/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-russia-klishina-exclusiv-idUSKCN10Q0BK|url-status= live }} The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee and banned the team from the 2016 Summer Paralympics.{{cite web|title=Rio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/37002582|website=BBC Sport|access-date=7 August 2016|date=7 August 2016|archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807160615/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/37002582|url-status=live}}

On 5 December 2017, the IOC voted to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee, thus banning it from sending athletes under the Russian flag to the 2018 Winter Olympics. Cleared Russian athletes were allowed to participate as "Olympic Athletes from Russia" (OAR). Two of them – curler Alexander Krushelnitskiy, who won a bronze medal, and bobsledder Nadezhda Sergeeva – failed drug tests during the Games.

The IOC's Oswald Commission disqualified and banned 43 Russian athletes, and stripped thirteen medals they earned in Sochi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/01/russian-doping-scandal-athletes-bans-overturned-courts-of-arbitration-for-sport-athletics|title=IOC dismayed after doping bans on 28 Russian athletes overturned by Cas|last=Ingle|first=Sean|date=1 February 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815121026/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/01/russian-doping-scandal-athletes-bans-overturned-courts-of-arbitration-for-sport-athletics|url-status=live}} In December 2017, 42 of the 43 punished athletes appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). On 1 February 2018, the CAS found that the IOC provided insufficient evidence and cleared 28 athletes from IOC sanctions. In total, Russian athletes won back 9 of the 13 medals collected. For 11 other athletes, the CAS decided that there was sufficient evidence to uphold their Sochi sanctions, but reduced their lifetime bans to only the 2018 Winter Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/02/04/icass-coates-responds-to-bach-over-ioc-concerns/110114676/|title=ICAS's Coates responds to Bach over IOC concerns|date=4 February 2018|agency=Associated Press|publisher=USA Today|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003142825/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/02/04/icass-coates-responds-to-bach-over-ioc-concerns/110114676/|url-status=live}} The IOC said in a statement that "the result of the CAS decision does not mean that athletes from the group of 28 will be invited to the [2018 Winter Olympic] Games. Not being sanctioned does not automatically confer the privilege of an invitation" and that "this [case] may have a serious impact on the future fight against doping". The IOC found it important to note that the CAS Secretary General "insisted that the CAS decision does not mean that these 28 athletes are innocent” and that they would consider an appeal against the court's decision.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/russia-doping-scandal-overturned-bans-wada-athletes-cause-dismay-frustration-a8190811.html|title=Wada: Clearing Russian athletes may cause 'dismay and frustration'|author=Aspin, Guy|date=2 February 2018|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003101337/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/russia-doping-scandal-overturned-bans-wada-athletes-cause-dismay-frustration-a8190811.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-statement-on-cas-decision|title=IOC Statement on CAS decision|date=1 February 2018|publisher=Olympic Games|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201135755/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-statement-on-cas-decision|url-status=live}} Later that month, the Russian Olympic Committee was reinstated by the IOC, despite failed doping tests during the 2018 Olympics,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/28/russia-says-ioc-reinstated-membership-after-doping-allegations|title=Russia's Olympic membership restored by IOC after doping ban|last=Kelner|first=Martha|date=28 February 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=22 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922042055/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/28/russia-says-ioc-reinstated-membership-after-doping-allegations|url-status=live}} and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency was re-certified in September, despite the Russian officials not accepting the McLaren report.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/09/20/olympics-wada-reinstates-russia-ends-suspension-after-doping-scandal/1365815002/|title=Russia reinstated by WADA, ending nearly 3-year suspension after doping scandal|work=USA Today|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003063430/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/09/20/olympics-wada-reinstates-russia-ends-suspension-after-doping-scandal/1365815002/|url-status=live}}

Just 4 days after the closing of the Games, Russian troops entered Ukrainian Crimea and started the formal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Russia formally incorporated Crimea into its territory on 14 March 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/crimea_annexion/id2593565/|title=Four years since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea|website=Government.no|date=14 March 2018|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504151336/https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/crimea_annexion/id2593565/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Putin reveals secrets of Russia's Crimea takeover plot|work=BBC News|date=9 March 2015|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31796226|access-date=9 March 2015|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506233813/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31796226|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|last1=Soldatkin|first1=Vladimir|last2=Stamp|first2=David|date=9 March 2014|title=Putin says plan to take Crimea hatched before referendum|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-putin-crimea-idUSKBN0M51DG20150309|work=Reuters|access-date=10 March 2015|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404015150/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-putin-crimea-idUSKBN0M51DG20150309|url-status=live}} This marked the second of three times (2008, 2014, and 2022) that Russia under Vladimir Putin invaded a neighboring country during or immediately after the Olympic games.{{cite web | url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/russia-at-war/russia-uses-olympics-as-cover-for-invasions/ | title=Russia uses Olympics as cover for invasions | work=NewsNation | date=16 February 2022 }}

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