Media Watch - Countdown to Sochi 2014; Ben Johnson; "Doctor Ice"

Countdown to Sochi 2014

CNN’s Amanda Davies describes her first visit to Sochi, Russia. Davies compares construction throughout the Black Sea resort to the 1989 American film "Field of Dreams."

"Except their film has a soundtrack of constant drilling, banging, and the grinding of rocks," Davies writes. She discusses issues such as traffic, a "watching world," airport delays, and weather concerns which could affect Sochi’s preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

CNN’s Gary Morley explores whether social media will affect Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans to "bring Russia global prestige."

Russia’s gay propaganda ban and "colossal" budget for the 2014 Winter Olympics sparked "howls of protest" throughout social networks. That said, Morley reports that Russia will capitalize on the social media "arena" in other ways.

"Russia, like many countries, has its own social media platforms to rival U.S.-based multinationals Facebook and Twitter," Morley writes. The independent media and bloggers could potentially have a greater affect on Internet traffic during the Winter Games. Sochi organizers and the IOC hope to learn from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London to "build on a higher social media profile."

The Guardian posts a media network blog on "what Winter Olympics technology can teach business." Sochi 2014 organizers expect "video streaming on tablet and mobile to make a breakthrough."

The "Dirtiest Race in History"

CBC Sports presents a report on the "shocking twist" in Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson’s career. During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Johnson won the men's 100-meters in a "blistering" 9.79 seconds, "smashing" the world record and "humbling the likes of American arch-rival Carl Lewis and famed British contender Linford Christie." But days later, Johnson was stripped of the gold medal and world record.

Huffington Post writer Caroline Frost covers director Daniel Gordon’s documentary "9.79." Gordon spoke with all eight men from the infamous 1988 Olympic Games 100 meter final.

"But, every single athlete told the director that he, and he alone, had been the only drug-free athlete to line up that day," Frost writes. Gordon says, "Someone, somewhere, is lying."

The Telegraph’s Oliver Pickup highlights ten "instances of notorious unsporting behavior" to mark the release of the documentary "9.79."

Reuters dubs United States sprinter Calvin Smith the "true winner of the 'dirtiest race' in history." Under stricter anti-doping regulations, Smith would have "left the 1988 Seoul Games as the Olympic 100 meters champion and world-record holder."

In Other News

CNN features Kristan Bromley, engineer turned bob skeleton competitor. Bromley, or "Doctor Ice," has designed a skeleton sled that can reach up to speeds of 130 kilometers per hour. CNN explores Bromley’s history with the sport which began with a "laughable" misunderstanding.

On September 7 the IOC chose Tokyo, Japan to stage the 2020 Summer Olympics. Tours of Japan’s National Olympic Stadium, the main venue for the 1964 Summer Games, are now "finding new popularity."

A biopic is reportedly in the works about the "amazing (albeit short) life" of Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas. "The Gabby Douglas Story," which is set to air on the United States’ television channel Lifetime in 2014, is currently filming in Canada.

Compiled byNicole Bennett.

For general comments or questions,click here.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics isAroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.