14 DAY TRIAL // NASA astronauts with Expedition 38 aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have captured a beautiful image of the Sochi resort in Russia on Monday, February 10. This location hosts the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, on the shores of the Black Sea.
The significant changes the Russians have made to this small town are clear from low-Earth orbit. Just 7 years ago, the same area was a desolate landscape that had nothing going for it. Even though works on the Olympic Village are not yet done, the sheer effort is definitely visible.
The Olympic Torch lies at the center of a gold and bright white ring at the very edge of the resort, looking out over the Black Sea. This circular area is called the Medals Plaza, and is the core of the Olympic Park. The Fisht Olympic Stadium is seen to the south, lit in hues of blue.
The 2014 Games are the first in history to be hosted in a subtropical climate. According to some scientists, this may contribute to more athletes breaking world records, due to lower friction between competitors and the ice and air around them.