Olympic Notes: Diplomatic Row In Moscow, Dubai Erupts Over 'Illegitimate' Torch Relay

A "bizarre" diplomatic row erupted in Moscow and Dubai on Thursday over what has been branded an "illegitimate" torch relay. Several hotels in the Middle Eastern emirate of Dubai are to display a Sochi Olympic torch Thursday, "which will then be sent to India before arriving in Sochi" for the Feb. 7 Opening Ceremony. Sochi Olympic organizers insist their 65,000km torch relay across Russia is the only real relay, and poured scorn on what spokesperson Roman Osin brands an "amateur show" in Dubai (R-SPORT, 1/30). ... British PM David Cameron "has turned down an invitation" to the Sochi Olympics from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cameron insisted his decision to avoid the Sochi event is not a snub to Russia, claiming that it is "not tradition" for a British ruler to attend the Winter Games (SPORTS MOLE, 1/29).