NBC's "Today" Kicks Off Olympic-Themed Coverage From Sochi

This morning's edition of NBC's "Today" marked the show's first Olympic broadcast from Sochi to preview the Winter Games that begin Thursday. NBC's Matt Lauer and Willie Geist were on-site in Sochi, and Lauer reported on the last-minute efforts to get the city ready for the Games. He also interviewed U.S. women bobsledders Lolo Jones, Elana Meyers, Jazmine Fenlator, Lauryn Williams, Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans; skeleton rider Noelle Pikus-Pace; and men's bobsledders Steve Holcomb, Curt Tomasevicz, Chris Fogt and Steve Langton. Meyers said the venues and Olympic Village have "definitely exceeded our expectations," adding, "It's been a great experience thus far."

Lauer noted these "are the most expensive Games in history but there are indications that not all of Sochi is ready for its close-up." Most of the 41,000 hotels rooms "are brand-new" and still "without furniture." Lauer: "A frenzy of activity is still ongoing in Olympic Park and surrounding roads" ("Today," NBC, 2/3).