Credit: AFP.
The Olympic flame is on its way from Athens to Sochi. There are some things you should know about the torch.
For example, Alex Ovechkin, NHL hockey player and Washington Capitals winger, was the first Russian to take the torch in Athens.
“I going to tell my kids, my grandkids, and it’s probably one of the biggest moments in my life.” Alex Ovechkin
We know Russia is behind the times when it comes to being an open society. Newly elected International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said
“I think it (the Olympic Games) will have a very positive effect on Russia. It will show a new Russia to the world and also open up civil society.”
Let’s see how that unfolds. One thing is for sure – the Olympics are bringing a new level of visibility and pressure to the Russians with regards to finding their way to embrace gay rights.
Credit: Getty Images.
Quick facts about the Games & the Torch Relay:
(credit ESPN/Associated Press)
- Winter Games are Feb. 7-23
- ~2,800 athletes from 80 countries
- The Russian leg of the torch relay will cover 40,390 miles
- The relay will cover nine time zones of Russia & take 123 days
- Carried by 14,000 torchbearers
- Travel by reindeer, dog sled, snow mobiles, boats and even hot air balloon and many other vehicles, and of course by foot, by car and tens of thousands of kilometers by train, by plane
- Into space on Nov. 7
- To the North Pole by nuclear power icebreaker.