LONDON -- Tuesday marks the 1-month countdown to the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, a defining moment on the world stage for Russia and Vladimir Putin.
Oniel Fisher Sounders Jersey . These games are among the most contentious in Olympic history, embroiled in controversy over terrorist threats, human rights, gay rights, cost overruns, corruption and environmental damage. But is it all doom and gloom for Putins pet project? Before the Olympic cauldron is lit on Feb. 7, its time for a look at the good and the bad for Russias first Winter Games. ------ The negatives: TERROR THREAT: The two bombings in Volgograd -- which killed 34 people in suicide attacks on the rail station and a trolley bus -- have escalated the security alarm. Sochi is located on the edge of the Caucasus region, where insurgents are seeking to create an Islamic state. Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov has urged his fighters to attack the Sochi Olympics, which he described as "satanic dances on the bones of our ancestors." A massive security apparatus will be in place for the games, meaning painstaking metal-detector, X-ray and other checks for athletes, spectators and media. Ticketholders will need to obtain "spectator passes," providing passport and other information to authorities. Email, phone and internet usage will reportedly be monitored by Russian security agencies. Putin is expected to attend many Olympic events, causing further security lockdowns. A heavy presence of Russian security forces could turn the games into an armed camp and undermine any prospect of a welcoming, festival atmosphere. GAY RIGHTS: The Russian law banning gay "propaganda" has caused a furious backlash in the West and tarnished the countrys international reputation heading into the Olympics. While Russia has promised there will be no discrimination at the games, critics continue to bash the law. The IOC has been assailed for not pushing Russia to repeal the legislation. Some athletes are planning to make their views known in Sochi, either by speaking out or carrying or wearing symbols promoting gay rights. Thats something which could land athletes in trouble with the IOC, which prohibits any political gestures at the games. HUMAN RIGHTS: Russias human rights record remains under scrutiny. With the games approaching, Putin has launched a charm offensive of sorts -- pardoning former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and granting amnesty for Pussy Riot punk band members and Greenpeace activists. He has even rescinded an order banning any demonstrations in or around the games. Critics call the moves window dressing. Will protest applications be granted? Will anyone dare come out to demonstrate? Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has accused Russian authorities of mistreating migrant workers and harassing activists and journalists. PUTINS POLITICS: Putins prickly relations with the West have soured any "feel-good" factor about the Olympics. Tensions with the U.S. and President Barack Obama grew after Putin granted temporary asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden. Putins policies on Syria and Iran, and Russias backsliding on democratic reforms have antagonized Western leaders. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. delegation to the Olympics will not include a president, vice-president or first lady. Obama is sending several openly gay athletes, including tennis great Billie Jean King and figure skater Brian Boitano. French President Francois Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck are not going to Sochi, either. WEATHER WORRIES: Sochi is a subtropical resort on the Black Sea. Temperatures on the coast, where the indoor ice events will be held, will be mild. Thats fine, but there is uncertainty over conditions in the mountains for the snow events. While there is already a good layer of snow in place, a spell of warm or wet weather could cause problems. As a precaution, organizers have stored up 450,000 cubic meters of snow. Also worth noting: flooding and avalanches are common in the region. RECORD COST: $51 billion. Thats the overall price tag for the games, by far the most expensive in history, summer or winter, and more than three times the budget of the 2012 London Games. The cost includes the long-term investment in roads, tunnels, railways and ski facilities. Everything has been built from scratch as Russia seeks to turn Sochi into a year-round tourist destination. The costs have soared way above previous projections amid allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption and favours doled out to oligarchs and Putins friends. ------ So whats the good news then? Yes, there are things to look forward to. Heres a sampling: NEW SPORTS: Twelve new events are on the sports program in Sochi, with womens ski jumping perhaps the biggest attraction. Female jumpers are making their debut after being rejected for inclusion in Vancouver four years ago. In a nod to the young X Games generation, the IOC has also added ski halfpipe and ski and snowboard slopestyle events. Snowboard star Shaun White, aka the Flying Tomato, will unveil a new trick -- a frontside double-cork 1440. Its a variation of the Double McTwist 1260 he nailed at the 2010 Vancouver Games. HOCKEY FEVER: The NHL players are back. Hockey is the sport Russia really cares about and the host nation will be out to make amends after the disaster in Vancouver. The Russians failed to medal in hockey, knocked out in the quarterfinals by Canada. It was symbolic of Russias worst overall showing at a Winter Games, winning only 15 medals and finishing 11th in the table. Sochi will offer a chance of redemption for superstar Alex Ovechkin, who is desperate to lead Russia to its first Olympic title since a "Unified Team" of former Soviet republics took gold in Albertville in 1992. Of course, Canada and the U.S. might have something to say about that. SKI STARS: Alpine skiing features the anticipated returns of American stars Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller from knee injuries, though Vonns status remains uncertain. High-profile medal contenders include 18-year-old American Mikaela Shiffrin, as well as Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway and Tina Maze of Slovenia. COMPACT LAYOUT: All the indoor venues and the stadium for the ceremonies are located in the Olympic Park in the coastal cluster. Its possible to walk or take a short shuttle bus between all the venues. The mountain cluster is only about 45 minutes away. Its a much more compact setup than previous games in Vancouver and Turin. Spectators can use a brand new train service to travel between the coast and the mountains. THE VENUES: Theyre brand new, theyre ready and theyll look great on TV. Gleaming arenas are in place for hockey, curling, speedskating and figure skating. THE BOSS: Dmitry Chernyshenko, a native of Sochi, is the affable head of the local organizing committee. The bespectacled Chernyshenko, who comes from the world of advertising, loves technology. He carries an iPad wherever he goes and is an enthusiastic user of Twitter ((at)DChernyshenko, www.twitter.com/DChernyshenko). He led Sochis winning bid for the games and has spent the last seven years getting the city ready for its big moment. THE STAKES: National pride and Putins personal prestige are on the line. Theres simply too much at play for Russia not to make the games a success. Besides, once the competition begins, the athletes take centre stage and the host nation begins winning medals, the atmosphere invariably takes off. AND FINALLY: Hey, the mascots are kind of cute.
Andres Correa Sounders Jersey . A larger-than-life personality known for his intimidating style in the 18-yard box, Schmeichels career spanned some 20 years -- including a memorable tenure at Manchester United.
Troy Perkins Sounders Jersey . -- Another baseball tradition is about to largely disappear: a manager, with a crazed look in his eyes, charging the field and getting into a face-to-face shouting match with an umpire.After two disappointing performances following the World Cup break, the Whitecaps returned to winning ways at home to Seattle Sounders last Saturday. The Caps now have the opportunity to make it back-to-back victories when they host Chivas USA at BC Place on Saturday night, live on TSN 2. The Form: The Whitecaps failed to score against Montreal Impact and Colorado Rapids but they found the net against Seattle thanks to another wonder-strike from Sebastian Fernandez. The 1-0 win against the Sounders was the Whitecaps 4th clean sheet of the season, and their second in a row at home. Honduran international Johnny Leveron had arguably his best game as a Cap in the centre of defence alongside Carlyle Mitchell, and defensive consistency should now be an aim for a club that has conceded two or more goals in half of its 16 matches. The Whitecaps have only lost once in their last nine matches and havent been beaten at home since early April. They are fifth in the Western Conference standings but with Portland and LA Galaxy close behind in the race for the playoffs. The Big Question: Can the Whitecaps stop Erick Torres? The young Mexican is the reigning MLS Player of the Week, and he is currently one of the leagues hottest strikers. He has scored 12 goals this season, including the winner in the last three matches and is second in scoring in MLS. Torres has been a tormentor for the Caps in the last couple of meetings. He scored against them when the teams drew 1-1 in California in March and got two goals in the 2-2 tie at BC Place last season. "He has super movement and is an excellent finnisher so we will have to be on our game, not just the defenders but as a team," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson.
Chad Marshall Jersey. The Opposition: Chivas USA are in excellent form as they arrive at BC Place. Having spent most of the season adrift at the bottom of the Western Conference, they have won their last three matches in a row and are now five points behind the Whitecaps. It hasnt just been about the excellent form of Torres. Chivas resurgence has been led by a new-found defensive solidity. They have kept three consecutive clean sheets, winning all of their last three matches by a score of 1-0. Chivas have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of some experienced MLS talent such as Marvin Chavez and Nathan Sturgis. They have also recently welcomed defensive midfielder Oswaldo Minda back from the World Cup where he appeared in two matches for Ecuador. The Lineup: With three matches in the space of a week, including two on the road, Carl Robinson will likely need to rely on his squad depth over the next week. Kicking off the week at home to Chivas theres a good chance he will name the same XI that started against Seattle. The Odds: The Whitecaps need to pick up points against the teams below them in the Western Conference standings, and also make home advantage count. Despite the string recent form of Chivas USA, Vancouver will go into this game as favourites, as they look to record consecutive victories for just the second time this season. Where to Watch: Vancouver Whitecaps against Chivas USA is live on TSN 2 on Saturday night at 10pm ET, 7pm PT.
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