Podcasts about sochi olympic games

Step into the world of Mixed Martial Arts with none other than Dr. Heather Linden, the Senior Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute. Drawing from her remarkable journey from the Olympics to the UFC, Heather enlightens us about the unique challenges and rewards of working with world-class MMA athletes. She takes us behind the scenes of creating a top-tier sports medicine clinic from scratch and building an interdisciplinary team to work with UFC fighters from across the globe. Dr. Heather Linden is the Senior Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute (UFCPI). She manages both UFCPI sports medicine departments in Las Vegas, NV, and Shanghai, China. Recently, Heather was awarded the “Trainer of the Year” award at the 2022 World MMA Awards.  Before joining the UFC, Heather worked at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and was the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles.Heather worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center for over six years as part of the USOPC's multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. Heather was on staff for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, 2015 Parapan Am Games, 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Heather's current responsibilities include injury prevention, designing and implementing rehabs, performing baseline orthopedic and baseline concussion testing, performing daily treatments, concussion management, and providing UFC fight week support.Heather is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and supports the Orthopedic Sections within APTA. Heather is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the APTA. Her certifications include Pilates Instructor, Kinesio-Tape Techniques, Mobilization with Movement, Graston, Dry Needling, Functional Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Myofascial Decompression, Myofascial Manipulation, Functional Range Conditioning, Endo-Nasal Technique, Active Release, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Postural Restoration, Blood Flow Restriction, Craniosacral therapy, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).Linden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She was an honors graduate and a collegiate varsity athlete.    About the ShowWe cover all things related to sports science, nutrition, and performance. The Sports Science Dudes represent the opinions of the hosts and guests. They are not the official opinions of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the Society for Sports Neuroscience, or Nova Southeastern University. The advice provided on this show should not be construed as medical advice and is purely an educational forum.Hosted by Jose Antonio PhDDr. Antonio is the co-founder and CEO of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and the co-founder of the Society for Sports Neuroscience, www.issn.net. Dr. Antonio has over 120 peer-reviewed publications, 16 books, and is a Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida in the Department of Health, and Human Performance.Twitter: @JoseAntonioPhDInstagram: the_issn and supphdCo-host Anthony Ricci EdDDr Ricci is an expert on Fight Sports and is  an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University in Davie Florida in the Department of Health and Human Performance.Instagram: sportpsy_sci_doc and fightshape_ricci

the newly appointed Head of Performance for Great Britain Baseball joins the show to talk about his background in Olympic Performance and his route to Gb Baseball, his interesting career path so far, trying and failing at retirement, the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and Russias interference, "Getting Stuck in" with up skilling and up scaling a sport to make it Olympic ready, his goals and much much more. Big thanks to Chris Knoblock at BSUK for arranging this interview for me. 

Nopixafterdark EP 180: Aaron interviews Julie Donaldson the Senior Vice President of The Washington Commanders. We discuss her journey from University of Florida to Washington DC. Julie talks about working hard, learning as much as possible and taking any job that came her way in the beginning of her career.  That hard work ethic has prepared her for her job with the Washington Commanders.The first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth. Take a listen to her amazing journey.   Julie Donaldson is the Senior Vice President of Media and Content for the Washington Commanders. A member of Washington's executive leadership team, Julie oversees the entire broadcast and editorial operation in the organization along with being a permanent member of the gameday radio broadcast. The first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth, Julie also adds her input and vision towards all of the club's in-house creative content. During a decade-long tenure as a reporter, anchor, and host for NBC Sports Washington (NCBSW), Julie has covered nearly every team, athlete and major sports story in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore region, as well as across national and international sporting events. Julie most recently served as host of NBCSW's Emmy Award-winning NFL pregame and postgame shows and contributed regularly to its other football programs and coverage. In addition to her work with NBCSW, Julie has also frequently held on-air roles for NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. She has held three Olympic assignments as a News Desk Host during the 2018 (PyeongChang) 2016 (Rio) and 2014 (Sochi) Olympic Games, and often serves as a weekend Sports Desk host for NBC Sports. Before that, Julie hosted NBCSW's live NBA gameday shows, and was an anchor and reporter for several NBCSW news, analysis, and entertainment shows, including SportsNet Central, Training Camp Daily and Football Central. Julie joined NBCSW in August 2010 after stops in some of the nation's top markets, including Boston, New York, and Miami. Donaldson served as a sports anchor and reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV (NBC). Prior to WHDH, she was as a reporter for SportsNet New York (SNY) for two years, including the network's inaugural season. Bio From the Commanders website

This week on the podcast we're joined by David Islam. Dave has been a staple in Canadian ice dance over the past thirty years. He has taught skaters at all levels and has coached many athletes to national and international medals. Some of his coaching career highlights include the many titles won by his son, Mitchell Islam and now daughter-in-law, Alexandra Paul, who would go on to compete in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. We talk about coaching, the transition between father and coach roles, and how Dave has dealt with diversity and inclusion over the years. This episode Mike also gets to surprise Trennt with something very special! We hope you enjoy this episode!

Julie Donaldson, Senior Vice President of Media & Content for the Washington Football Team, is the first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth and I'm certain she won't be the last!    Listen in as we talk about:  How she took a $50 job and launched her career in sports  The moment when she learned the importance of asking for what you want  What networking tricks she learned early in her career and why they paid off  Why she doesn't fear rejection  How not to let being “the only” get in the way of your success  Why you should always have someone helping you become a better version of yourself    And you know there is so much more!     Connect with Jahaan:  Learn more about working with Jahaan and see if it's the right fit for you: https://JahaanBlakeAppointmentScheduling.as.me/LetsTalk Join Jahaan's VIP Email List: https://bit.ly/3yccwAP  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahaanblake/ Email: jblake@jahaanblake.com Website: https://jahaanblake.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahaanblake/   Links: Washington Football Team: https://www.washingtonfootball.com/  Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation:  https://www.sephora.com/product/luminous-silk-foundation-P393401    Connect with Julie:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliedonaldson_?lang=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_juliedonaldson/?hl=en    Julie Donaldson is entering her first season as Washington's senior vice president of media & content in July 2020.     Donaldson will be overseeing the entire broadcast operation in the organization along with being a permanent member of the gameday radio broadcast. She will also be adding her input and vision towards all of the club's in-house creative content.   Donaldson will be the first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth according to NFL Research.   During a decade-long tenure as a reporter, anchor and host for NBC Sports Washington (NCBSW), Julie Donaldson has covered nearly every team, athlete and major sports story in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore region, as well as across national and international sporting events.   Donaldson most recently served as host of NBCSW's Emmy Award-winning NFL pregame and postgame shows and contributed regularly to its other football programs and coverage.   In addition to her work with NBCSW, Donaldson has also frequently held on-air roles for NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. She has held three Olympic assignments as a News Desk Host during the 2018 (PyeongChang) 2016 (Rio) and 2014 (Sochi) Olympic Games, and often serves as a weekend Sports Desk host for NBC Sports.   Previously, Donaldson hosted NBCSW's live NBA gameday shows, and was an anchor and reporter for several NBCSW news, analysis and entertainment shows, including SportsNet Central, Training Camp Daily and Football Central.   Donaldson joined NBCSW in August 2010 after stops in some of the nation's top markets, including Boston, New York and Miami. Most recently, Donaldson served as a sports anchor and reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV (NBC). Prior to WHDH, she was as a reporter for SportsNet New York (SNY) for two years, including the network's inaugural season.   Donaldson began her career in Miami where she held a variety of positions for FOX Sports, including FS Florida and FS South. She served as a reporter for FS Florida's Sports Rap, hosted SEC and ACC men's basketball shows for FS South. She contributed to national broadcasts as a sideline reporter for ACC Sunday Night Hoops.   Donaldson's other television experience includes serving as a host and reporter for the Miami Heat's "Heat TV," providing pre-game and in-game coverage, and working as a producer and correspondent for Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, a program that aired nationally on PBS.

HEATHER LINDEN DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY Heather Linden serves as the Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute. Prior to joining the UFC, Heather worked at the United States Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and was the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles. Heather’s previous title at the USOC was Senior High Performance Health Care Service Provider-Physical Therapist. She worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Clinic as part of the USOC’s multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. Heather was on staff for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, 2015 Parapan Am Games, 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Heather’s responsibilities at the USOC were injury prevention, designing and implementing rehabs, aiding in Elite Athlete Health Profiles, daily treatments, and practice/competition coverage. Heather is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and supports the Orthopedic Sections within APTA. Heather is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the APTA. Her certifications include Pilates Instructor, Kinesio-Tape Techniques, Mobilization with Movement, Graston, Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen, Myofascial Decompression, Myofascial Manipulation, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Postural Restoration, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Heather has diverse experience in areas from pediatrics, geriatrics, amputees to vestibular disturbances; her career specialty is orthopedic manual sports physical therapy. Linden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She was an honors graduate and a collegiate varsity athlete.

Natalia is a huge sports lover, she was a professional athlete and a candidate for a master of sports in gymnastics. She also was a volleyball player and use to train in karate, basketball, swimming, and dancing. Graduated from Moscow state university of international relations (MGIMO). She was part of Sochi Olympic Games 2014 Organizing committee. Was working for 5 years as an Organizing director of CEV Champions league in Russia and Chief press-officer at Dinamo Moscow Volleyball club. Managed Qatar delegation hospitality in Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and in Brazil for 2019 Copa America. Now based in Qatar she is organising sports within communities so others can experience and grow. Did I mention she was part of the Winning team of QOC Beach games in Aspire in 2020? MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE We all have journeys so be inspired to keep creating yours!! #valleyball #athlete #rhythmicgymnastics #swimming #inthegame #sport #sportspodcast #podcastepisode #podcast #podcastshow #podcastepisode #qatar This is a sports podcast in Qatar. Follow IN THE GAME:

Natalia is a huge sports lover, she was a professional athlete and a candidate for a master of sports in gymnastics. She also was a volleyball player and use to train in karate, basketball, swimming, and dancing.  Graduated from Moscow state university of international relations (MGIMO).  She was part of Sochi Olympic Games 2014 Organizing committee.  Was working for 5 years as an Organizing director of CEV Champions league in Russia and Chief press-officer at Dinamo Moscow Volleyball club.   Managed Qatar delegation hospitality in Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and in Brazil for 2019 Copa America.  Now based in Qatar she is organising sports within communities so others can experience and grow.  Did I mention she was part of the Winning team of QOC Beach games in Aspire in 2020?   MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE   We all have journeys so be inspired to keep creating yours!!   #valleyball #athlete #rhythmicgymnastics #swimming #inthegame #sport #sportspodcast #podcastepisode #podcast #podcastshow #podcastepisode #qatar  This is a sports podcast in Qatar.  Follow IN THE GAME: 

In this episode of Aerial Evolution, Rowan and Jane have a conversation with Melissa Colello. Melissa studied at Ecole Nationale de Cirque (ENC), where she was the first student to develop a dance trapeze act. After touring internationally with the aerial arts collective Les Arts Sauts, Melissa co-founded CirkVOST, a French aerial contemporary circus company. Her vast career is all encompassing including being an aerial choreographer and coach for major events and intimate shows such as the Sochi Olympic Games, MGM Macau, Luc Petit Creation, the Qing show, Cirque du Soleil. Her style varies just as much from German cabaret to traditional circus. She is now back in Montreal and working on creating an aerial festival. Melissa reached out to us after listening to our first episode in which Lydia Lara mentioned wanting to know who the first person was to put a swivel on the trapeze, person found! This surprise guest was a delight to get to know and a welcome addition to our podcast. SHOW NOTES: Insta @melissa_colello www.cirkvost.eu Join in on the conversation: On our website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod Or for more about: Rowan and Jane Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aerialevolution/support

Heather Linden serves as the Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute. Prior to joining the UFC, Heather worked at the United States Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and was the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles. Heather’s previous title at the USOC was Senior High Performance Health Care Service Provider-Physical Therapist. She worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Clinic as part of the USOC’s multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. Heather was on staff for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, 2015 Parapan Am Games, 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Heather’s responsibilities at the USOC were injury prevention, designing and implementing rehabs, aiding in Elite Athlete Health Profiles, daily treatments, and practice/competition coverage. Heather is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and supports the Orthopedic Sections within APTA. Heather is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the APTA. Her certifications include Pilates Instructor, Kinesio-Tape Techniques, Mobilization with Movement, Graston, Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen, Myofascial Decompression, Myofascial Manipulation, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Postural Restoration, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Heather has diverse experience in areas from pediatrics, geriatrics, amputees to vestibular disturbances; her career specialty is orthopedic manual sports physical therapy.  Linden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She was an honors graduate and a collegiate varsity athlete.      SPECIAL DEAL: https://www.manscaped.com USE CODE: "20OFF" and save 20% NOW!!! Thanks to our main sponsors: www.AGMGlobalVision.com www.Gallowtech.com https://rhinosafe.com https://www.galcogunleather.com/ https://blackwaterammunition.com www.Ritonoptics.com https://volquartsen.com/ www.JohnBartoloShow.com Visit our Friends: https://microtechknives.com Kenzies Optics www.KenziesOptics.com  

0:00- Winning silver in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games 6:55- The journey leading up to the Olympics 15:39- Choosing to try again after receiving 4th place in 2010 Olympics 21:55- Faith in troubling times 25:35- Life after skeleton 30:42- Living... The post Noelle Pikus Pace Ep. 470 The Cultural Hall appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

Patrick Sharp played 11 NHL seasons with Philadelphia, Dallas and primarily Chicago, where he won 3 Stanley Cups. Sharp’s trophy case doesn’t stop there though he was also the 2011 All-Star Game MVP & won gold with Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.Sharp had a long and distinguished career and now you can find him on NBC Sports coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Tripp and and Sharpie dig into where he got the belief in self that has helped to fuel his success, some classic stories about a few NHL legends and what former Cane favorite inspired him to become a better goal scorer.@10PSharp on Twitter@DigInTripp on Instagram & Twitter

Jamie Anderson is regarded as one of the best female snowboarders in the world. Known for her incredible style and strength, Jamie gave the USA a gold-medal sweep in the debut of Olympic Slopestyle competition at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. She soared to victory in a near flawless run to make history for the United States as the first ever women's Olympic Slopestyle Gold Medalist. She then repeated the feat at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games making her the first female snowboarder to win more than one Olympic gold medal.In addition to her many career wins, Jamie has been giving back to the community through her participation in a multitude of camps as well as her active hand in non-profits that promote mindful purchasing and charities assisting those in need all around the world. Always looking to use her platform for positive contributions within her community, Jamie collaborated with her old middle school to develop a sponsorship program for gifted children who would like to snowboard but lack the funds to do so. Outside of snowboarding, Anderson practices yoga and works with Protect Our Winters (POW) in the fight against climate change.I hope you enjoy our conversation.Follow Jamie Anderson at:https://www.instagram.com/jamieanderson/Support the show (https://stuartwatkins.org/podcast/)

Heather Linden (@heatherlinden) serves as the Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute (@ufcpi). Prior to joining the UFC, Heather worked at the United States Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and was the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles. Heather’s previous title at the USOC was Senior High Performance Health Care Service Provider-Physical Therapist. She worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Clinic as part of the USOC’s multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. Heather was on staff for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, 2015 Parapan Am Games, 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Heather’s responsibilities at the USOC were injury prevention, designing and implementing rehabs, aiding in Elite Athlete Health Profiles, daily treatments, and practice/competition coverage. Heather is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and supports the Orthopedic Sections within APTA. Heather is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the APTA. Her certifications include Pilates Instructor, Kinesio-Tape Techniques, Mobilization with Movement, Graston, Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen, Myofascial Decompression, Myofascial Manipulation, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Postural Restoration, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Heather has diverse experience in areas from pediatrics, geriatrics, amputees to vestibular disturbances; her career specialty is orthopedic manual sports physical therapy. Linden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She was an honors graduate and a collegiate varsity athlete. Where to find us: Hit us up on Instagram @betterfasterpodcastVertex Performance Training (@vptstrength) vertexpt.com (@vertexpt) Josh Jeffery (@joshjeffery5) Brandon Vaughn (@bvthept)Support the show (http://paypal.me/betterfasterpod)

Heather Linden (@heatherlinden) serves as the Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute (@ufcpi). Prior to joining the UFC, Heather worked at the United States Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and was the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles. Heather’s previous title at the USOC was Senior High Performance Health Care Service Provider-Physical Therapist. She worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Clinic as part of the USOC’s multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. Heather was on staff for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, 2015 Parapan Am Games, 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Heather’s responsibilities at the USOC were injury prevention, designing and implementing rehabs, aiding in Elite Athlete Health Profiles, daily treatments, and practice/competition coverage. Heather is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and supports the Orthopedic Sections within APTA. Heather is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the APTA. Her certifications include Pilates Instructor, Kinesio-Tape Techniques, Mobilization with Movement, Graston, Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen, Myofascial Decompression, Myofascial Manipulation, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Postural Restoration, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Heather has diverse experience in areas from pediatrics, geriatrics, amputees to vestibular disturbances; her career specialty is orthopedic manual sports physical therapy. Linden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She was an honors graduate and a collegiate varsity athlete. ❗Upcoming Courses in Columbia, SC❗ Body Tempering Certification with Donnie Thompson November 3-4, Columbia, SC. Register here: www.bodytempering.com Clinical Running Essentials with Chris Johnson November 10-11, Columbia, SC. Register here: bit.ly/2MMTJZJSupport the show (http://paypal.me/betterfasterpod)

Bryan Fogel joins Lance to discuss his Academy Award nominated Best Documentary, Icarus. They discuss Bryan’s original vision of the film and how that changed. Bryan goes into detail about he got to know former Russian anti doping lab director Grigory Rodchenkov. They review the doping program that Bryan was on to compete at the Haute Route. Part one concludes with Bryan elaborating on how Russia was able to circumvent the testing process during the Sochi Olympic Games. 

You probably don’t recognize George Tsypin’s name, but you’re almost certainly familiar with his projects. After training as an architect in Moscow, Tsypin moved to New York to study theater design, and it’s now safe to say millions upon millions of people have seen his work. He’s designed stage sets for the MTV VMA’s, operas, Broadway plays, and the 2014 Winter Olympics’ Opening Ceremony at Sochi, among many others. Tsypin's work is now captured in GEORGE TSYPIN OPERA FACTORY: Invisible City, released on October 18 by Princeton Architectural Press. We spoke about designing for theatrical and mass media performances, and how his architectural training grounds his practice. Our interview begins with Tsypin's account of working in 5Pointz, the infamous graffiti building in Long Island City. Special thanks to Princeton Architectural Press for helping coordinate the interview.  

On this episode, we welcome the brilliant Maria Blasucci to tell us what it’s like to come face to face with a surly Shia LaBeouf; Jeni Sue joins us to unpack the Sochi Olympic Games; and we enjoy the music of Mother Falcon. rumorsontheinternets.org/episode47

Lou and Doug discuss the Nets after their trade Wednesday and Team USA's chances of medaling in hockey at the Sochi Olympic Games.

- LINGVISTOV.RU conquers the world with China - Read my neck! Landysh started learning Chinese - Opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympic Games 2014: Did you like it? - TATU?! Really?! - Amazing side of the Olympic Games: Sportsmen and their achievements - The incomprehensible game ever: The history of curling - New game of buttnball: Grow your butts to win! - No North Koreans at the Olympic Games but there are some in space! - Its good to be developed

Jules Boykoff discusses the Olympics Games -- prominent urban mega-event spectacles -- as a form of 'celebration capitalism' (the complement to Naomi Klein's 'disaster capitalism'). He talks about celebration capitalism and political dissent in the context of the Vancouver, London, and Sochi Olympic Games.Jules Boykoff is author of Celebration Capitalism and the Olympic Games (2013). He is associate professor of politics and government at Pacific University in Oregon.

Arriving at the Olympic village, many athletes are giving Sochi a "thumbs up." "I know I can say I feel really safe. The security precautions that they've been taking are really impressive. So I feel comfortable." "It's a lot of fun. A lot of athletes are showing up. It's great to see everybody coming to the village. The cafeteria is great. There's a lot to do. The biggest thing is going to see all the venues. It's an amazing thing Russia did and there is no doubt in my mind that they are gonna put on a show." China has sent a 139-member delegation to the Olympics, which begin in the Russian city on Friday. Vancouver Winter Games runner-up Tong Jian has been selected as the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the Olympic opening ceremony. Tong took a silver medal in pairs with his long-time partner and girlfriend Pang Qing in Canada four years ago. With four-time Olympic short track winner Wang Meng out of the picture due to an injury sustained in a training session three weeks ago, the 34-year-old Tong is the most decorated and experienced athlete in the delegation. The Chinese short-track speed skating team has already begun its first practice session. The training, which lasted only 70 minutes, focused on relay races, to condition the athletes' technique and strength. The figure skating event is set to begin on Thursday, a day before the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Chinese figure skater Zhang Kexin was seen gearing up for her event. "Everything feels fresh and I'm really excited. The competition is about to start, but I am trying to calm myself down so that my excitement doesn't affect my performance during the competition." Li Zijun, another Chinese ladies' singles skater, is expected to arrive in Sochi on Sunday. Chinese ice dancers Huang Xintong and Zheng Xun, who entered the Sochi Olympic Games through qualifiers, are also readying their routine in Sochi. Ahead of the games, Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the IOC's decision to bring the games to the Black Sea resort. "We understand it was not an easy decision to make, to grant the right to host the Games in a city which back then, barely had 10 to 15 percent of the necessary infrastructure required. But you placed your faith in our potential, you placed your faith in the Russian character, which doesn't flinch from difficulties, and that unites us." This is the first time Russia has hosted the Winter Olympics. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to take part in the opening ceremonies.

Join host Colin West alongside Mike Doll and Brian Brass as they take you through 60 non stop minutes of Sports Fan Heaven. Join the guys as they discuss the NFL forecast for the coming season, the NBA, college basketball, the Sochi Olympic Games, and a whole lot of other randomness!

Russia invested a massive US$60 Billion into the preparation of the 2014 Winter Olympics games.  The country is unlikely to see a return on its investment. However, Russia may exit the Olympics with a better international image if the games go well as incoming travelers will be greeted with up-to-date transportation, hotel accommodations and attractions. Companies such as Proctor and Gamble, Samsung and Coca-Cola have already launched massive advertising campaigns for the Olympics, bringing attention to the games and to Russia. A strong Russian Olympic team is also important as winning gold medals promotes national pride and consumer confidence, something of great importance to a country with low economic forecasts.