There are just a few days to go until the 2014 Winter Olympics, an epic sporting event that will bring countries from around the world together for two weeks! This year, the Olympics will take place in Sochi, Russia, from February 7-27. While not all of us can travel to Russia for this years’ 22nd annual Winter Olympics, you can count on Her Campus to keep you up to date on all things Olympic-related with the Her Campus Olympic Blog, Sochi Scoop. Consider it your all-access pass to the Games!
Throughout the duration of the Olympics, we'll keep you updated with daily posts that include recaps of events, slideshows of athletes, event previews and other Olympic-related coverage!
Before you tune into the Games next week, read on to learn some need-to-know Sochi and Winter Olympics facts. You’ll become an Olympic pro in no time!
The Location
In 2007, the International Olympic Committee voted Sochi to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Sochi beat out both Pyeongchang, South Korea; and Salzburg, Austria, for the bid. After securing the honor of host city, Russia celebrated due to the fact that this is the first time that the country has ever hosted the Winter Olympics. Sochi 2014 also marks the 22nd anniversary of the winter Games!
Surprisingly, Sochi isn’t the frozen Russian tundra you might expect it to be. In fact, Sochi is considered subtropical— not exactly the kind of environment you imagine ski jumpers in, is it? Typically thought of as a beach getaway, Sochi is located on the Black Sea coast and has an average February climate in the mid-40s.
Eleven venues were built for Sochi 2014, including the dome-shaped Fisht Olympic Stadium. Other notable venues are the Iceberg Skating Palace, the Bolshoy Ice Dome and the Sanki Sliding Center. Indoor events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, ice skating, curling and ice hockey, will all take place in the Coastal Cluster in the city of Sochi. However, due to the city’s lack of snow, outdoor events will be headed just north of Sochi in the Krasnaya Polyana mountain region; this area is known as the Mountain Cluster. Skiing, snowboarding and luge events will be held in the Mountain Cluster. Pre-stored and artificial snow will be brought in to make sure the slopes stay fresh and ample!
The Slogan
Sochi’s slogan is “Hot. Cool. Yours.” According to the official Sochi 2014 website, “Hot” is a way to describe the intensity of the Games and the passion that the spectators and athletes share. It's also meant to represent Sochi's tendancy to have a warmer climate. “Cool,” on the other hand, was chosen because of what season the Games are taking place in. Plus, Russia is known to be a cold region. The final word, “Yours,” is meant to symbolize the Games as an event that anyone and everyone can enjoy.
The Events
Twelve new events have been added to the official Winter Olympic lineup for Sochi 2014. The events include the biathlon mixed relay, team figure skating, luge team relay, ski halfpipe (men's and women's), ski slopestyle (men's and women's), snowboard slopestyle (men's and women's), snowboard parallel slalom (men's and women's) and women's ski jumping. For more information on the new events and to see each event's debut video, visit Olympic.org.
The Mascots
The mascots for the 2014 Winter Olympics were voted on by the Russian public during a live television broadcast in February 2011. The ultimate winners? Three cute, furry animals: the Polar Bear, the Hare and the Leopard. According to their official website, the mascots represent the three levels of the Olympic podium. Each of the mascots has a unique story and personality. The Hare is always busy and loves sports, singing and dancing. The Leopard is a cheerful mountain-climber and rescuer and the Polar Bear, who has a passion for bobsledding, was raised by Arctic explorers. To learn more, you can even connect with the mascots on social media! Their Facebook page reveals each of their detailed backstories while their official website offers an interactive experience.
As for the Paralympic Winter Games, the mascots are a snowflake and ray of light. Paralympic champions chose the mascots for the Paralympic Games. Together the Snowflake and the Ray of Light represent limitless potential and the power of unity. The Paralympic Winter Games will be held in Sochi from March 7 -16.
It has been a long road to the Sochi Olympics, but we’re almost there. What are you most excited to see at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow Sochi Scoop for all Olympic-related content!