2014 Winter Olympics - updates

Rappler's latest stories on 2014 Winter Olympics

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4 Russian skeleton athletes suspended

Dec 31, 2016 - 1:56 PM

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation IBSF suspends 4 Russian competitors as the fallout from the expose into state backed doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics takes another twist

SUSPENDED. This file photo taken on February 14, 2014 shows Russia's Elena Nikitina reacting after finishing her run during the Women's Skeleton 4th and final Heat of the Sochi Winter Olympics. Nikitina, who was a bronze medalist in women's skeleton at Sochi, is claimed to be among those suspended. LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP

28 Russians face action over Sochi Olympics doping – IOC

Dec 23, 2016 - 6:52 PM

The IOC said the action was being taken following evidence produced by World Anti Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren who released his latest report on December 9

This file photo taken on February 21, 2014 at the Olympic Park in Sochi shows a sign showing the direction to the anti-doping laboratory of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. LEON NEAL / AFP

More than 1,000 Russian athletes in 'institutionalized' doping – report

Dec 09, 2016 - 8:07 PM

UPDATED International sport had been hijacked by the Russians according to Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren who has previously accused Russia of state sponsored cheating

DAMNING REPORT. Professor Richard McLaren speaks during a press conference following the publication of his report on drug use in Russian sport, in central London on December 9, 2016. Adrian Dennis/AFP

Putin inherits World Cup baton, promises 'unforgettable' 2018

Jul 14, 2014 - 10:58 AM

After spending more than the 50 billion on this year s Sochi Winter Olympics Putin faces another multi billion dollar bill for the project

FROM BRAZIL TO RUSSIA. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R), FIFA President Sepp Blatter (C) and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (L) during the official ceremony of handing over the FIFA World Cup 2018 signed certificate to Russia at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 July 2014. Alexey Nikolsky/RIA Novosti/Kremlin pool/EPA

#Sochi2014 closing ceremony: 9 memorable moments

Feb 24, 2014 - 9:58 AM

Some of the most memorable moments and performances from the packed Fisht Stadium as the XXII Olympic Winter Games comes to a close

CELEBRATION. Sochi let its hair down on Sunday, February 23, at a rollicking end-of-games Olympic party celebrating Russia's spirit and culture through the country's rich heritage of music and art. Photos from AFP

Curtain falls on Sochi Winter Olympics

Feb 24, 2014 - 7:40 AM

In a glitzy closing ceremony International Olympic Committee IOC president Thomas Bach says Russia delivered all what it had promised

FAREWELL, SOCHI. Fireworks are seen above the Olympic Park during the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia, 23 February 2014. Armando Babani/EPA

Party time as Sochi Winter Olympics close

Feb 24, 2014 - 7:27 AM

In a show themed Reflections of Russia a Marc Chagall fantasy world of brides and fiddlers clowns and acrobats children and animals came to life in a scene inspired by one of his paintings

GRAND CLOSING. Dancers performing during the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia, 23 February 2014. Daniel Karmann/EPA

Russia crash out of ice hockey, Kim glides towards gold

Feb 20, 2014 - 9:13 AM

In the mountains above Sochi four time world champion skier Ted Ligety won the men s giant slalom; Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen takes record 13th medal; and a married couple both get medals

RUSSIA DOWN AND OUT. Teemu Selanne (L) of Finland scores a goal against goalie Semyon Varlamov (R) of Russia in the quarter final match between Finland and Russia at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, Sochi, Russia, 19 February 2014. Larry W. Smith/EPA

Ice Hockey: USA down Russia in Olympic thriller

Feb 16, 2014 - 1:17 PM

T J Oshie scored the shootout winner as the United States defeated Russia 3 2 in a nail biting Sochi Olympic hockey clash

ACTION ON ICE. Russia's Vyacheslav Voynov (L) vies with US Zach Parise (R) during the Men's Ice Hockey Group A match USA vs Russia at the Bolshoy Ice Dome during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 15, 2014 in Sochi. Bruce Bennett/AFP

'Sooner or later we'll get you,' IOC warns dopers

Feb 16, 2014 - 12:55 PM

At Sochi there is a reduced emphasis on post competition tests and more on pre competition in a bid to catch potential offenders unawares

OLYMPICS AT SOCHI. The Olympic Rings are seen at the Adler airport, outside of Sochi, Russia, 25 February 2013. The 22nd Olympic Winter Games will take place in Sochi from 07 February until 23 February 2014. Maxim Shipenkov/EPA

Will Martinez win Olympics medal?

Feb 14, 2014 - 1:17 PM

Michael Christian Martinez bids for an Olympic medal Friday evening February 14 in the Winter Olympics free skate program

FOR THE GOLD. The Philippines' Michael Christian Martinez performs during the Men's Figure Skating Short Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 13, 2014. Yuri Kadobnov/AFP

Russian court jails Olympic critic for three years

Feb 12, 2014 - 7:27 PM

A Russian environmentalist who campaigned against damage caused by Olympic development was sentenced to three years in a penal colony

OLYMPICS AT SOCHI. The Olympic Rings are seen at the Adler airport, outside of Sochi, Russia, 25 February 2013. The 22nd Olympic Winter Games will take place in Sochi from 07 February until 23 February 2014. Maxim Shipenkov/EPA

Germany's Vogt wins historic women's ski jump Olympic gold

Feb 12, 2014 - 6:51 AM

The big surprise was the complete absence on the podium of Japanese teen sensation Sara Takanashi currently World Cup leader and Youth Olympic champion

AT THE PODIUM. Gold medal winner Carina Vogt (C) of Germany celebrates with silver medal winner Daniela Iraschko-Stolz (L) of Austria and bronze medal winner Coline Mattel of France during the Ladies' Normal Hill Individual competition at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, 11 February 2014. Fehim Demir/EPA

International Olympic Committee lifts ban on India

Feb 11, 2014 - 7:38 PM

India s athletes can now compete under their own flag at Sochi 2014

BANNED NO MORE. With India's ban lifted, Indian athletes like Shiva Keshavan, seen here in the men's singles Luge, can compete under the Indian flag. Photo by Tobias Hase/EPA

Ski jumping girls lift-off after long, controversial wait

Feb 11, 2014 - 7:30 AM

Their presence on the international stage has been late in coming compared to men s ski jumping which has featured in every Olympics since 1924 in Chamonix France

READY FOR PRIMETIME. Japan's Sara Takanashi readies to compete in the Women's Ski Jumping Normal Hill Individual official training at the RusSki Gorki Jumping Center during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 9, 2014 in Rosa Khutor, near Sochi. John Macdougall/AFP

Record-equalling Bjoerndalen leads golden oldies at Sochi

Feb 09, 2014 - 9:26 AM

Bjoerndalen wins a record equalling 12th Winter Olympic medal as Sochi s senior citizens nudge aside younger rivals

RECORD-MAKER. Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen competes in the Men's Biathlon 10 km Sprint at the Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Center during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 8, 2014 in Rosa Khutor. Odd Andersen/AFP

Putin opens Sochi Games after stunning show

Feb 07, 2014 - 9:58 PM

UPDATED It remains to be seen whether the Sochi opening ceremony will shift the cloud of controversy that has hung over the Games the most expensive in history with an estimated price tag of 50 billion

GRAND START. Fireworks go off over the Olympic Park at the end of the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia, 07 February 2014. Sergey Ilnitsky/EPA

Putin declares Russia 'ready' as torch comes to Sochi

Feb 06, 2014 - 9:40 AM

Concerns still remain over Russia s suitability as a venue with a another anti Games ecological activist sent to jail and protests planned worldwide over Russia s now notorious anti gay law

WELCOME TO SOCHI. Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) takes part in a ceremony of greeting Russian athletes in the Olympic village in Sochi, Russia, 05 February 2014. Alexei Nikolsky/Ria Novosti/Kremlin pool/EPA

Environment loses out in Russia's race to Sochi

Feb 04, 2014 - 12:30 PM

Environmentalists bemoan wrecked habitat destroyed wildlife populations and bungled attempts to remedy the consequences of a massive program to ready Sochi for the Olympics

HEAVY EQUIPMENT. A file picture taken on April 26, 2011, shows workers using heavy equipment to extract building materials, to be used at the 2014 Olympics construction outside the black Sea resort of Sochi. Mikhail Mordasov/AFP

Brazilian skier and gymnast seriously injured ahead of Sochi

Feb 02, 2014 - 12:50 PM

Set to compete in freestyle skiing at Sochi 2014 Brazilian skier and gymnast Lais Souza slammed into a tree during training and is unable to move her arms and legs

ACCIDENT. Brazilian skier and gymnast Lais Souza had an accident during her US training for the 2014 Winter Olympics, leaving her unable to move her arms and legs. File photo by Norbert Foesterling/EPA

Sochi Games promote 'dictatorship' – Kasparov

Feb 02, 2014 - 10:03 AM

Russian former chess great Garry Kasparov calls on athletes to protest saying that Sochi 2014 promoted dictatorship

'DICTATORSHIP.' Chess great Garry Kasparov believes that participating in Sochi 2014 'gives a boost to the dictator.' File Photo from kasparov2014.com

Obama says Sochi Olympics 'safe'

Feb 02, 2014 - 9:28 AM

US President Barack Obama said the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi will be safe but did not rule out that there are always some risks of a terror attack

SOCHI IS 'SAFE.' US President Barrack Obama said the Winter Games at Sochi is 'safe' and anyone planning to go should do so. File photo by EPA/Olivier Douliery / POOL

IOC dismisses latest Sochi terror scare

Jan 23, 2014 - 9:29 AM

IOC: The email sent to a number of NOCs contains no threat and appears to be a random message from a member of the public

OLYMPICS AT SOCHI. The Olympic Rings are seen at the Adler airport, outside of Sochi, Russia, 25 February 2013. The 22nd Olympic Winter Games will take place in Sochi from 07 February until 23 February 2014. Maxim Shipenkov/EPA

Russia hosts Putin's Games under unprecedented scrutiny

Jan 20, 2014 - 10:18 AM

Concerns over the risk of militant attacks and a controversy over gay rights threatening to overshadow the winter sports extravaganza itself

OLYMPICS AT SOCHI. The Olympic Rings are seen at the Adler airport, outside of Sochi, Russia, 25 February 2013. The 22nd Olympic Winter Games will take place in Sochi from 07 February until 23 February 2014. Maxim Shipenkov/EPA

Putin says gays at Olympics must 'leave children alone'

Jan 19, 2014 - 4:22 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said gays need not fear persecution at the Winter Olympic Games but stood by a controversial ban on promoting homosexuality to children

COLD FRONT. Russian President Vladimir Putin tries on a Sochi coat during his visit to the education center for volunteers for Sochi 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The Games are to take place from 07 to 23 February 2014. Photo by Alexey Nikolsky/EPA Ria Novosti/Kremlin

Obama signals Russia with gays in Olympic delegation

Dec 18, 2013 - 11:06 AM

Obama chose tennis legend Billie Jean King and women s ice hockey silver medalist Caitlin Cahow for the US delegation to the Sochi Olympics which begin on February 7

TO SOCHI. In this file photo, tennis legend Billie Jean King speaks at her 70th Birthday Party Celebration organized by the Women's Sports Foundation at the Museum of Art and Design on November 6, 2013 in New York City. Brad Barket/Getty Images for Women's Sports Foundation/AFP

Russian lawmakers approve new anti-terrorist bill

Oct 26, 2013 - 7:38 PM

The bill also introduces punishment of up to six years in prison to people who participate in terrorist groups abroad if such activities harm Russia s interests

SECURITY. Russian lawmakers pass the anti-terrorist bill as the country prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. File photo by EPA/HANS KLAUS TECHT

Cher takes on Miley Cyrus with new album

Oct 15, 2013 - 4:42 PM

I m not a fan but I respect her because she s very smart says multiawarded actress singer

FREQUENT VISITOR. The singer-actress in Paris. Photo: Francois Guillot/AFP

Flame lit for Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

Sep 29, 2013 - 8:29 PM

Actors in ancient Greek costume invoked the god Apollo in the ruins of the 2 600 year old Temple of Hera using a parabolic mirror to harness the sun s rays and kindle a flame on the torch

OLYMPIC FLAME. Actress Ino Menegaki (front R), in the role of the High Priestess, lights the torch of the Olympic Flame during the rehearsal of the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014, in front of the Hera Temple in Ancient Olympia, Greece, 28 September 2013. EPA/Orestis Panagiotou

New space crew joins ISS on Olympic torch mission

Sep 26, 2013 - 2:46 PM

Cosmonauts Kotov and Ryazansky are expected to carry into open space the Olympic torch for the 2014 Winter Games

HELLO, ISS. The International Space Station is seen from a Soyuz TMA-10M camera as it approaches for docking. Image: NASA TV

Obama confronts Russia on Snowden, anti-gay law

Aug 07, 2013 - 1:03 PM

UPDATED Obama on Russia: There have been times where they flip back in the Cold War thinking and in a Cold War mentality

CLOSE TALKS. US President Barack Obama (R) talks to late-night talk show host Jay Leno (L) during the taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, August 6, 2013. Photo courtesy of the Tonight Show official page on Facebook