Privet (hello) from Sochi! Man I’m a long way from home! I promised you guys that I would be blogging from here, so this is my first post since arriving Monday evening.
I haven’t even been here 48 hours yet, but I’ve managed the jet lag a bit better than I thought I would. Right now, I’m sitting in the cafeteria of the massive Main Press Center (MPC) in the coastal cluster writing this post. For those of you not familiar with the layout here, there is a mountain cluster, which will host outdoor events, and the coastal cluster (where I am based), which has the indoor venues.
The language barrier has been difficult at times, but I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of folks who know enough English. On my first night here, I missed the last shuttle bus to my hotel, and a very courteous and decently fluent English-speaking security officer called a taxi for me (and told me how much the fee would be and to “not pay any more than that!”). Everyone has been very helpful.
Yesterday, I had a little time to wander around the Olympic Park and photograph most of the venues, which I am sharing here. I haven’t ventured outside the Olympic village area since arriving, but today I am planning on heading up to the mountain cluster and into the city of Sochi, along with our director of technology, Nick Carter, for more photographs and to get a lay of the land.
All photographs shot for USA TODAY Sports Images.
Iceberg Skating Palace
A worker cleans the windows of the Iceberg Skating Palace
Workers atop the roof of the Bolshoy Ice Dome
Fisht Olympic Stadium
Workers attach banners to the Fisht Olympic Stadium
Olympic Cauldron
Workers are silhouetted against the Iceberg Skating Palace
Olympic Cauldron
Shabya Arena
Main Press Center Main Press Center
Kim Peace says
What beautiful pictures. The buildings and your photographic impressions of them are unique and creative. USA Today is smart to send you as a representative. I look forward to seeing your pics.and reading your blog.
Kevin Liles says
Thank you Kim! I will try to keep the blog updated as much as time permits, I know I will be insanely busy once the games start next month.
Raynor Cathey says
What astonishing photos. They make me feel like I’m there with you! Good luck with all the languages you are encountering but with you quick wit, you can handle anything! Just don’t tell any of those elderly women that it looks like they died their hair! Remember?
Raynor Cathey says
What astonishing photos. Viewing them makes me feel like I am there with you. I am so excited for you to be able to share your experiences with everyone back home.
Kevin Liles says
Thank you Mrs. Cathey! Yes I do remember! Tell your family I said hello. Hopefully I’ll bump into you next time in Madison.
Julie Coile says
Look at you “all big-shot photographer”! Congrats on the assignment. Your photos are beautiful! All of your friends at CSU will be watching and supporting you. Nice job!
Kevin Liles says
Thanks Julie! I miss CSU already!
John Shiffert says
Clayton State Alum Kevin Liles Covering the Olympics in Sochi
Morrow, Ga., Jan. 15, 2014 – Clayton State University may not have any athletes in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics (of course, winter sports aren’t too common in the south in any case), but alumnus Kevin Liles is nonetheless on site at the winter games to unofficially represent the University.
Liles, a 2011 Clayton State graduate with a degree in Communication and Media Studies, is a commercial and editorial freelance photographer based in Atlanta. His clients have included the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Reynolds Plantation, USA Today Sports Images, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and Clayton State. In addition, his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Newsweek, as well as other national and international publications. In Sochi, he’s shooting for USA Today Sports Images.
In addition to his photographic work, Liles is also blogging from Sochi. His blog, http://kevindliles.wpengine.com/ has the additional advantage of providing followers with some stunning photos of the Olympic venues, only what one would expect from the former editor of Clayton State’s The Bent Tree student newspaper who has photographed, among other subjects, the NCAA Final Four, no less than four NBA finals, and the cover of Clayton State’s The Laker Connection magazine.
Kevin Liles says
That’s awesome, John! I am humbled that you guys would write a press release about me. Thanks for the shout out!
John Shiffert says
I want to do a more complete feature story on your experiences in Sochi when you return. Let me know when you’re back.
Kevin Liles says
Will do, John. Thank you.
Delores Toothaker says
Thank you so much for sharing your blog! The pictures are great. Keep posting! I will be looking forward to seeing what you post. Have a great adventure.
Bob Torok says
Kevin you are truly Blessed, in more ways than one, Your Talent and the Love you have for your profession will truly shine with this opportunity to cover these Olympics. We all miss you and send our best regards and Love. I am going to try my best to follow you on a daily basis, keep up the good work and I look forward to your pictures and post. Enjoy my friend and God Bless, Bob. Oh by the way my Lovely wife Leslie said hello.
Kevin Liles says
Thanks, Bob. It weren’t for the support of the good folks back like you, this wouldn’t be possible. Bill would be proud. See you guys in a few weeks, tell everyone we know that I said hello and everything is going great.
John Shiffert says
Kevin: The Global Atlanta website wants to run an article on you that will include a link to your blog. They also want a “dramatic” photo of you in front on one of the venues. Can you provide same to me via email (johnshiffert@clayton.edu). Also, if you’re allowed to do this, they’d like to be able to post some of your photos on their website.
Joel Shiver says
Beautiful. And I know what you mean about being a long way from home!
Dianne Perry says
the pictures look great!!!! I feel like I am there enjoying the sites with you!!! keep up the good work and make Bostwick Proud!!!! most of all your Mother proud!!!!
Justin says
Kevin,
Everyone is giving you props on the awesome photos (and they are indeed awesome) but I think you should take this opportunity to publicly thank me for taking care of this crazy attention hound for you. The way I see it, my benevolence is the one who is really making all of this possible. A little shout out to the guy back in Georgia who put his bobsled dreams on hold four more years so he could feed this mangy mutt constantly and clean up the water he insists on splashing all over my kitchen would be appreciated. See you in 40 days.
Smiling? Have fun man! Great photos. Top of the World, bud.
Kevin Liles says
I know my dog is a handful, your help in this is much, much appreciated, brother. I’ll make it up to you, for sure. See you in 39 days!
Connie Parnell-Beverly says
Greg McWilliams, who is a cousin of mine, told me about this blog. The pictures I have seen so far, are exquisite. Looking very forward to keeping up with you at the Olympics and the photo impressions you come away with. War Eagle!!
Natalie McFalls says
Beautiful pictures,enjoy your blog