Moscow - The Russian resort city of Sochi has taken a further step towards hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics. A new airport terminal, costing 100 million euros (149 million dollars) was opened on Thursday - the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin laid down the foundation stone for a new airport.
"From here the railways will transport thousands of athletes, journalists and spectators from the sunny Black Sea beaches to the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus," Putin said.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who is responsible for the planning of the Winter Olympics, dismissed criticism leveled by environmentalists that the railway tracks would cause environmental harm.
He admitted that trees would have to be cut down for the railway line. "But when it is finished, it will replace thousands of trucks that are currently driving through the streets of Sochi.
The budget for the Winter Olympics is particularly high because many of the venues still have to be built. Kozak recently said that the budget was 490 rouble (16 billion dollars).
