Russian Federation Travel Alert

Courtesy Sochi 2014

SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS

 Information for Travelers 

The U.S. Department of State updated a Travel Alert today for U.S. citizens planning to attend the 2014 Olympic Games in Russia that they should remain attentive regarding their personal security at all times.

Issued:              24 January 2014

Replaced:         10 January 2014

Expires:            24 March 2014

The alert replaces the previous one and provides updated information on reported threats against the Games.

Full information about the Olympic and Paralympic games for U.S. citizen visitors is available on the Sochi Fact Sheet and the Country Specific Information for the Russian Federation on their website, travel.state.gov.  The Department strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens residing or traveling abroad enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive pertinent safety and security information.  

The alert covers several areas including the following:

MEDICAL CARE:  

• first large-scale event
• medical capacity is untested
• treatment differs substantially from Western standards
• recommend purchasing private medical evacuation and/or repatriation insurance

TERRORISM:

• attractive target for terrorist  
• U.S. Government monitoring threats
• bombings & hostage events have occurred
• no indication of a specific threat to U.S. institutions or citizens
• be aware of personal surroundings and follow good security practices

CRIME:

• remain alert regarding personal security at all times
• Criminal activity in Sochi is similar to other cities of comparable size
• avoid carrying large amounts of money or other valuables 

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS:

• avoid large crowds in areas that lack enhanced security measures
• use caution if protests, demonstrations, or other public disturbances are taking place

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) ISSUES:

• LGBT travelers should review the State Department’s LGBT Travel Information page

LODGING:

• May be shortages of lodging
• Book well in advance

SOURCE:   Russian Federation Travel Alert Last Updated: January 24, 2014 U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 (Consular Section located at Novinskiy Bulvar 21) Moscow 121099, Russian Federation Telephone (7) (495) 728-5000 or (7) (495) 728-5577 Emergency Telephone (7) (495) 728-5000 Fax (7) (495) 728-5084 Email moscowwarden@state.gov U.S. Embassy Moscow

All Eyes on London Summer 2012

Olympians of the World

Assemble in London

Olympic Games 27 July - 12 August 

With just 70 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, a major milestone has been reached.  As is tradition,The Olympic Flame has been handed over to the London 2012 delegation, headed by President of the British Olympic Association HRH the Princess Royal, in a Ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Greece.

Torch Handover

The ceremony was attended by President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Karolos Papoulias.  During the Ceremony there were addresses by President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos and Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG) Seb Coe, before the Olympic Flame was handed over to Her Royal Highness.

Panathenaic Stadium - Athens, Greece

‘The Handover of the Olympic Flame is a key milestone for each Olympic Games as the Torch Relay rallies the world’s athletes to make their final preparations.

'After a fantastic eight-day Torch Relay around Greece we wish London and the whole of the UK well for a successful 70-day Torch Relay and Olympic Games.’

~ Spyros Capralos

Olympic Torch Relay

The Flame will be leaving Athens on Friday 18 May to arrive into the UK at RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, Cornwall at approximately 7.30pm.

On the morning of 19 May the Olympic Flame will travel to Land’s End ready for the start of the 70-day London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. It will travel 8,000 miles across the UK to within 10 miles of 95% of the population before reaching the Olympic Stadium on 27 July.

The Olympic Torch Relay will be covered on the London 2012 site in multi-media.   Complete with maps, photos, videos, and even its own Facebook Page, visitors will be able to trace the relay across the UK.

Tomorrow We Begin a Special Series on London

Here and on our Facebook Page