Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the "Laura" cross country ski and biathlon centre in the resort of Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi Jan. 3, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Friday in Sochi to inspect the site of the upcoming Winter Olympics, and found time to give one of the newly completed slopes a go.
Putin was joined by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on an “alpine” slope designed for cross-country skiing, though it won’t be used for Olympic events. A spokesperson said the president will examine various Olympic venues in the area and watch preparations for the opening ceremony, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Before visiting Sochi, Putin stopped in Volgograd, where two terror attacks earlier this week killed 31 people and injured scores of others. He visited victims and met with law enforcement in the city, about 400 miles northeast of Sochi.
Residents of Sochi say the city is effectively on lockdown ahead of the Games that begin Feb. 7, with police patrolling deserted streets, according to the Times.