Scientists from the Russian space agency "have been drafted in to improve the performance of the country's bobsled and luge teams."
In the latest example of Russia's government "lavishing resources on athletes to chase medals" at the country's first home Winter Olympics, the Roskosmos agency "will provide space-age materials and aerodynamic expertise" (RIA NOVOSTI, 10/22). ... Int'l police body Interpol "will work with the organizers of the Olympics in Brazil to improve safety for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janerio."
Interpol’s major events support team "will be in Rio to help local authorities police the event." Interpol "will track stolen and lost travel documents, provide DNA analysis and hunt for internationally wanted suspects" (BLOOMBERG, 10/22). ... Russia’s Olympic torch "was dramatically engulfed by flames during a nationwide relay ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi."
Footage posted online "appears to show the Siberian-made torch briefly spouting flames over a meter long, before being seized by accompanying officials, as it was passing through Kostroma," a small city near Moscow, on Oct. 18 (RIA NOVOSTI, 10/22).
