Sochi under Scrutiny
Bloomberg Businessweek discusses a collaborative effort to "defy Russian president Vladimir Putin and pressure Olympic sponsors" at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Gay rights groups Athlete Ally and All Out are teaming up with American Apparel to promote a new clothing line for Sochi athletes.
The "Principle 6 clothing line" will feature "logos referring to the Olympic charter, which bans all forms of discrimination in its sixth principle." Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff and Canadian alpine skier Mike Janyk are among athletes already in talks with Athlete Ally about sporting "Principle 6" gear at the Sochi Games.
Putin is also "bracing for a fight" with Russia’s biggest companies, who made commitments to "bankroll the Sochi Games." National Public Radio reporter David Greene speaks with Bloomberg’s Stephanie Baker "about why some of Russia's wealthiest industrialists are concerned."
Business Standard says a Russian non-governmental organization is calling on IOC president Thomas Bach to launch an "independent investigation of Russia's anti-gay legislation" ahead of the Sochi Olympics. The NGO reportedly met with Bach in Paris on Saturday.
USA Today explores a Team USA trend: "Whether because of nurture or nature, Team USA usually sends a handful of athletes to the Olympics who share a last name." The article features four sets of "potential Sochi siblings" including hockey stars Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, and United States sliders Joe and Matt Mortensen.
South Korean national curling team players Kim Ji-sun and Shin Mi-sung are "swept up in Sochi dreams." The pair discusses their road to Sochi 2014 with Reuters reporter Narae Kim.
The New York Times features a "photographic pregame" for the Sochi Games. Photographer Mikhail Mordasov cuts through the "commotion coming out of the Black Sea resort area to reveal the landscape, the city and its people."
The Korea Times highlights a "new generation of figure-skating prodigies" emerging out of Russia.
According to an NBC affiliate in Denver, Colorado, "three of five new venues in the Olympic park area will be picked up, unbolted and taken to other Russian cities" after the Sochi Games in February.
Brazil has its "Hands Full"
Associated Press reporter Tales Azzoni says the Sao Paulo stadium is just one of many problems keeping 2014 World Cup organizers’ "hands full" in Brazil.
Azzoni writes that Sao Paulo was "one of the most advanced venues among the six that must be delivered this year," prior to the crane collapse at the stadium last week. FIFA will provide an update on Brazil’s construction progress this week, ahead of the World Cup draw on Friday.
Compiled byNicole Bennett.
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