Olympic preparations quick fact: Aug 20, 2008 (+ pics)

Construction of 17 Olympic projects is already underway, another 100 projects are in the engineering phase, and around 60 more Olympics-related projects are applying for expert evaluation.

This info is from RIA Novosti. They also have some recent photos from constructions sites. Here a few of ’em:

8 thoughts on “Olympic preparations quick fact: Aug 20, 2008 (+ pics)

  1. Tracy

    why the meaning behind krasnaya polyana? what is the red glade? i looked it up on the internet but couldn’t find anything — is it a type of tree that grows in the region?

  2. Erik Post author

    hey Tracy! close call! the most commonly accepted version of the name’s origins told by regional historians is that the name was given to this place by Greek settlers in late 19th century for the color leafs of fern and bushes that grow on the glade and on mountains’ slopes around it. in the fall they become brownish-red color, and in sun light look bright red. an alternate theory is that Russian surveyors that also came there in the late 19th century were amazed by its beauty and called it “krasnaya”, which has original meaning “beautiful”, not “red”, and the word was still widely in use in this meaning back in those days. this, btw, is the root of “krasnaya ploshad'” or Red Square — “Red Square” is incorrect translation (even though everyone so used to it now), the correct meaning is “beautifull, grand, parade”.

  3. Priyank

    Hi! So much construction activity 🙂

    I will be in Sochi in about 3 weeks and very much looking forward to it. I am trying to find cheap backpacker hostels in this area. Would you reply if you know of any? Thanks.

  4. Erik Post author

    Hey Priyank, I’ve sent you email!

    Actually, I just came back from Sochi last week, and there isn’t that much of visible construction going on, other than elite apartment buildings. There’s definitely some construction in Krasnaya Polyana, and they are trying to get the new airport ready, but other than that you won’t tell that someone’s getting ready for Olympics, yet.

  5. stela

    is there in sochi someone from serbia?someone who works on constructions somewhere in the city near the beach?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *