Georgia Lifts Boycott Threat; Duma Approves Scalping Bill; Rosa Khutor Opens Season

(ATR) Prime Minister says Georgia will "of course" send Olympians to Sochi ... Anti-scalping legislation nears law ... Tremor rattles resort... Alpine venue opens season ... More inside this Sochi Scene ... 

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Boycott Threat Lifted

Georgian Olympians will compete at Sochi 2014.

Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said on Monday the country would not boycott the Games. His predecessor had warned of such a move.

"Of course, we will take part in the Olympics," Ivanishvili was quoted by RIA Novosti. "If we want normal relations with Russia, then we will certainly participate. We shouldn’t reject it."

Sochi is situated 40 kilometers from a disputed breakaway region that Georgia and Russia have fought a war over.

Scalping Legislation Approved

The Russian Duma approved anti-scalping legislation that would put fines as high as $30,000 for scalping tickets.

According to reports in Russian media, individuals caught scalping the tickets would face fines of five to 10 times the face value of the tickets. Fines for officials start at $1,500 and "legal entities" would pay up to $30,000.

Businesses caught scalping will also face business suspensions.

Following the Duma approval, the bill will need to be approved by the upper chamber of parliament and President Vladimir Putin.

Tremor Rattles Sochi

An earthquake was felt Sunday in Sochi, with no injuries or serious damage being reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey cities a 5.8 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter in the Black Sea. Russian media report the earthquake sent Sochi residents into the streets.

Earthquakes measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings. On Dec. 11, another small earthquake was felt near Sochi.

Rosa Khutor Opens Season

The Rosa Khutor ski resort opened its skiing season Saturday.

A variety of events, including a performance of Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker" marked the occasion.

Rosa Khutor is the venue for alpine skiing during the 2014 Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.

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