Sweden’s sports minister is boycotting the Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony in a protest against Russia’s human rights record.
Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth told state broadcaster SVT that her decision to snub the Feb. 7 ceremony should be seen as a "political marker."
She called the opening ceremony a "propaganda stunt" by Russian president Vladimir Putin, raising concerns about the cost of the Games and its impact on the environment.
But she will attend the Games to support her country’s athletes.
Stockholm is one of six bidders for the 2022 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian PM Algirdas Butkevicius has confirmed his attendance at the Olympics, as has his Finnish counterpart Jyrki Katainen.
"I will travel to Sochi out of respect to Lithuanian athletes," the prime minister told a press conference.
Nine Lithuanian athletes will compete in the Winter Olympics.
Katainen was quoted on Itar Tass, "Why don’t we go to the Olympic Games where the athletes wait for our support? Finnish athletes did much to go to the Olympic Games in Sochi and be a success," he said on Monday.
"I’d like to go to Sochi and back the athletes," he added.
Sufficient Snow for Olympics
The Russian Weather Service said on Monday that the Black Sea resort has enough snow to stage the Games.
"Fortunately, snow has fallen out early this year. With the Olympic Games starting in three weeks, we can say that there is enough snow at all the Olympic facilities," said Roman Vilfand, the service’s director on Itar Tass.
More snow is expected later this week, he added.
Ships Dock in Sochi for Games
Eight vessels will sit in Port Sochi during the Winter Olympics.
Svan Toscana, Norwegian Jade, Princess Maria, and Princess Anastasia will be moored in the Commercial Seaport of Sochi, along with three cruise ships, Grand Holiday, Louis Olympia, and Thomson Spirit.
A yacht owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, rounds out the group.
The cruise ships were chartered by FSUE Rosmorport for accommodate guests and participants in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to IAA PortNews.
Written by Mark Bisson and Nick Devlin.
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