Sochi Olympics 2014: Heavy Rain, Flooding Prompts State of Emergency at Olympics Site
Heavy rain and flooding at the 2014 Sochi Olympics site has prompted authorities to issue a state of emergency in the area.
Two major roads to the Olympic site were blocked by water and mudslides, raising the question of whether the conditions would delay or affect the start time of the Olympics, which are slated to begin in February
Olympics officials told state television that things will be fine; the river have already started receding and traffic is getting back to normal.
According to Reuters, the flooding was knee-high and brought about long traffic jams in the city center. Even passengers at the airport were forced to walk through ankle-deep water.
The Olympic games in Russia are expected to be the most expensive ever. The $50 billion price tag is more than it was initially expected.
Much of the public perception of the Olympics in Sochi has been focused around Russia's anti-gay laws and whether LGBT athletes and tourists can feel safe there. A number of athletes and celebrities have spoken out against the law and a debate has emerged over whether people should boycott.
Russian president Vladimir Putin recently added fuel to the fire when he signed a law banning anyone from holding demonstrations in the area around the stadium. Putin tried to cover up Russia's policies by simply telling the Associated Press that he works with LGBT people.
"I assure you that I work with these people, I sometimes award them with state prizes or decorations for their achievements in various fields," he said. "We have absolutely normal relations, and I don't see anything out of the ordinary here."