MOSCOW — International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach says Russian organizers of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi should brace themselves for the toughest preparation period ahead.
Sochi marked the 100-day countdown to the games Tuesday night.
New banknotes for the Olympics show a snowboarder in mid tail-grab.
Bach said on Wednesday in remarks carried by the R-Sport news agency that "these 100 days will be the toughest ones in the preparations" for local organizers and volunteers.
Bach, who toured Olympic venues with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, told a group of Sochi volunteers that "what you have achieved so far is really fantastic."
Russia is spending $51 billion to deliver the games, making it the most expensive Olympics in history.
Wednesday's event in Sochi also included an unveiling of the uniform for more than 40,000 volunteers expected to work at the Olympics, which includes coats, trousers, gloves, shoes and backpacks in a rainbow smattering of colors. Bach said that the suits' "bright colors show Russian kindness and hospitality," Itar-Tass reported.
The games will take place from Feb. 7 to Feb. 23.
Material from The Moscow Times was included in this report.
Special-edition banknotes for next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi were unveiled Wednesday, with 100 days to go until the Games.
Twenty-million of the blue 100 ruble ($3.13) notes will be produced, with an unusual vertical design depicting a snowboarder and several of the venues in the Sochi Olympic Park.
It is unclear when the notes, which are legal tender but differ from the regular red 100-ruble notes, will enter general circulation. (RIA Novosti)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
