Let the Olympic Winter Games Begin!

The XXII Olympic Winter Games aka 2014 Winter Olympics aka the 22nd Winter Olympics begin in Sochi, Russia with the Opening Ceremony today (February 7th) and run through the Closing Ceremony (February 23rd).

These games will certainly rank among some of the most controversial, politically and safety-wise, Olympics.  Though it remains unknown whether the February 2013 estimate made by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who has been in charge of Olympic preparations, of US $51 billion estimated cost (including infrastructure construction related to the games) or the daily Vedomosti‘s projected US $45 billion cost is accurate, either figure would make these Olympics the most expensive on record.  To give you an idea, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing cost an estimated $40 billion and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver cost approximately $6 billion.

We hope the 343,000 populated city of Sochi is ready for the influx of the world showcase of approx. 3,500 athletes because NBC is ready to bring the games to our US TVs on 5 channels!

Let the Olympic Winter Games Begin!