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"Although the official kickoff of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics isn&amp;#039;t until tomorrow, buzz surrounding the spectacle has been heating up for weeks. From security concerns to poor hotel conditions, it hasn&amp;#039;t been smooth sailing for the sporting event. Late last month, emails were sent to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) threatening terror strikes on anyone who participates in the competition. Although the threats were later deemed to lack credibility, new safety concerns arose. Following two suicide bombings in December, which were in response to Chechen warlord Doku Umarov&amp;#039;s initial threats last summer, security is on their highest alert\u2014and well-staffed with 40,000 guards and police officers protecting the Games. In addition, Dmitry Kozak, Russia&amp;#039;s deputy prime minister, is urging the public to rest assured. &amp;quot;Based on information we received from our intelligence services, there&amp;#039;s no reason to believe Sochi is under more threat than any city on the planet,&amp;quot; he said regarding warnings from U.S. Homeland Security about toothpaste containers possibly containing explosives. In addition to security concerns, reporters who&amp;#039;ve arrived in the Russian city early have been causing a social media frenzy over their already-disappointing experiences. Although seven years and $51 billion were flushed into the country&amp;#039;s preparation to host the games, it seems hotels weren&amp;#039;t as prepared. CNN reporter Harry Reekie tweeted, &amp;quot;CNN booked 11 rooms in one @Sochi2014 media hotel five months ago. We have been here for a day and only one room is available.&amp;quot; There have also been reports of yellow water, plumbing issues and non-existent lobby and reception areas. Meanwhile, Minnesota sports anchor Dave Schwartz seems to be enjoying his hotel stay, according to hockey reporter Ryan Stanzel, who tweeted, &amp;quot;Congrats to @Dave_Schwartz only media personality who&amp;#039;s arrived in Sochi with a hotel room that&amp;#039;s ready, with doorknob that doesn&amp;#039;t fall off.&amp;quot; With or without press-ready hotels, the show must go on. The opening ceremony of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games is set to air at 7:30 PM EST tomorrow on NBC. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/entertainment/news/a48602/sochi-olympics-off-to-rough-start-before-opening-ceremony/>