Sochi Scene -- Security Increases, Cultural Olympiad Underway

Security Boost for Olympics

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree "to impose strengthened security measures" for the Games, the Kremlin said in a statement on Sunday.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who is overseeing preparations for the Olympics, was quoted as saying that the security measures would reflect "both national and international experience in holding such major sports events".

"No extraordinary measures are planned for Sochi that would create further inconveniences for participants and guests of the Olympics," he said.

No further information was given about the security measures by the Kremlin or Sochi 2014 organizers who were contacted by Around the Rings.

The tightening of security follows attacks by Islamist militants in the regions bordering the Krasnaya Polyana mountains where snow sports will be staged at the 2014 Games. Sochi is also only about 40km from the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia.

Cultural Olympics Debuts

Medvedev on Monday heralded the start of the four-year Sochi 2014 Cultural Olympiad, saying organizers had put together "an impressive program of memorable events spanning hundreds of festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and creative forums that will bringtogether well-known names from the world of arts and new young talents".

"I am sure that this Cultural Olympiad will help the world to get to know our country better and give people around the globe a taste of the unique atmosphere and beauty that is Sochi, the host city of 2014’s biggest sports event," he said in a statement on the Kremlin website.

Thousands of Sochi guests and citizens gathered on Sochi’s main square on Sunday evening to celebrate the opening of the Cultural Olympiad. The ceremony included a 3D-show, a concert by the Russian musician Garik Suckachev and a screening of his new film "House of the Sun".

Fyodor Bondarchuk, the Russian film director, actor and producer, was unveiled as a new ambassador of Sochi 2014.

Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Zhukov, Mayor of Sochi Alexander Pakhomov and Sochi 2014 president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko were among the dignitaries present.

Chernyshenko said that more than 3,000 cultural events would take place in the years leading up to the Games.

"It’s clear that Sochi 2014 will give us incredible memories and will also enrich the world with its proud cultural heritage," he said.

With reporting from Mark Bisson