Russia chose one of its southernmost cities - subtropical Sochi - as its nominee for next year's Winter Olympics.
Sochi Olympics - Mountain Venues

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Krasnaya Polana, or ‘beautiful meadow’, is the gateway to the Caucasus Mountain ski and snowboard venues for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. (V. Undritz for VOA)

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This highway suspension bridge is part of an $8 billion road and link designed to transport Olympics attendees between the skating venues on the Black Sea coast and the snow venues in the Caucasus Mountains. (V. Undritz for VOA)

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Once tranquil mountain villages are being transformed by the massive construction of Olympic housing. High rises are to become hotels and condominiums for vacationers after the games. (V. Undritz for VOA)

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Russians hope that their world-class ski resorts will become part of the legacy of the Olympics. (V. Undritz for VOA)