Kevin D. Liles

It’s been a few more days than I anticipated since my last post, but we’ve been getting a lot of work done around here. My role here for USA Today Sports Images (USATSI) involves a lot more than just taking pictures — I am working as a technician, helping wire the venues for our photographers (more on that in a bit), as well as working as a photo editor when the Games start. The reason I arrived so early was to aid some of our network technicians in much of the set up that has to take place for such a big event. [Read more…] about Sochi, Day 18

Security, as many of you know, is the biggest story here in Sochi. So for the past few days, I have been trying to illustrate the level of police and military presence at the Olympic Park. And that’s not always so easy (security officials here are not too keen about having a lens pointed at them). Above, security patrols outside Adler Arena.

I have to admit, it is a bit uneasy reading daily reports of direct terror threats to this area. But I can’t live and work in constant fear while I’m here, I just have to trust that authorities are doing everything they can about the situation. I am no terrorism or security expert, but I feel safe here. [Read more…] about Sochi, Day 11

Okay, so the jet lag lasted a little longer than I thought. It took me at least 4 days to really feel somewhat normal again, in terms of my sleep schedule. I’m writing this post from the small restaurant at the bottom of my hotel (which are built like apartments). All of the media housing are in clusters of about 15-20 buildings and there are about 5-7 of these clusters. The internet started working last night, but only down here in the restaurant. I’m not complaining, this way I can come home and read (instead of work on my computer) before going to sleep (a welcomed change). [Read more…] about Sochi, Day 6

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. [Read more…] about Sochi, Day 2