Media Watch - Sochi 2014 Countdown

Road to Sochi 2014

Europe Online Magazine says there is"much work ahead"for Sochi as the city prepares to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The BBC'sMoscow Correspondent Daniel Sandford tours the"Sochi Olympic Park in 60 seconds."

The Associated Press reports on a break in"Russia's 'Zero Waste' Olympics pledge."A state-owned rail monopoly is "dumping tons of construction waste into an illegal landfill" outside ofAkhshtyr village in Sochi.

Reuters talks withlocals in the North Caucasus about preparations for the Sochi Games: "Russia is taking saliva samples from religiously conservative Muslim women...gathering DNA so authorities can identify the body parts if any become suicide bombers."

Fox Sports writer Jen Floyd Engel asks whether the athletes from the United States will be "afraid to take a stand against homophobia in Sochi."

"Fast-talking and charm-slinging,"Russian president Vladimir Putin said Monday that all athletes are welcome, regardless of sexual orientation, at the Winter Olympics.

USA Today's Christine Brennan discusses Putin's "despicable crackdown on human rights." Brennan affirms that Russia's anti-gay law will stir up controversy well beyond the Winter Olympics in February.

Star.com lists 100 "things to know" about the 2014 Winter Games.

The Ottawa Business Journalfeatures someone preparing for the Sochi Games who is not an athlete.Dean Frohwerk is the engineering leader for Avaya. He is essentially "responsible for keeping the 'Olympic family' - press, athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers - online during the event."

As the 100-day countdown to Sochi 2014 continues, many gold medalists are still vying for spots on Team USA.NPR's Brian Manntalks to Sochi hopeful and Olympic bobsledder Justin Olsen who hopes to overcome injuries and repeat the success he had at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

NBC Olympic Talk features "100 Olympic storylines 100 days out from Sochi."

Team Canada's 2014 Olympic and Paralympic uniforms receive "mixed reviews from Canadians."

Lyndsey Fry tells ESPNWabout a ritual she performs before every game; it is a ritual she hopes to perform at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

A Finnish company is reportedly working to ensure a"snowy Sochi"for the 2014 Winter Games.

In Other News

To best prepare for the 2020 Summer Olympics,The Nationsays Japan will have to "revisit and acknowledge its militaristic past in order to foster Asian identity and solidarity." Reuters reports that venues from the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics have"crumbled into oblivion."Compiled byNicole Bennett.

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