The AP's Nataliya Vasilyeva reports the IOC is "reprimanding athletes for wearing items commemorating the dead." IOC Dir of Communications MARK ADAMS sent a letter to the Norwegian Olympic Committee after its female cross-country skiers "wore black armbands Saturday in honor of a teammate's brother, who died on the eve of the Sochi Games." The IOC also "banned helmet stickers in tribute to Canadian halfpipe skier SARAH BURKE, who died after a crash in training two years ago." Adams said athletes should find "a better place" to express their grief (AP, 2/10). Adams said of Burke, "She really needs to be well remembered, I think, and absolutely, we want to help the athletes to remember her in some way and there are all sorts of things we can do. From our side we would say that the competitions themselves, which are a place of celebration, are probably not the right place to really do that and we like to keep that separate." The GLOBE & MAIL's Paul Waldie notes the IOC decision "has infuriated some athletes." Australian snowboarder TORAH BRIGHT wrote on Instagram, "I ride with a Sarah sticker on my snowboard and helmet always. ... She is a big reason why skier pipe/slope are now Olympic events" (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/10).
TAKING A NEW DIRECTION: Former U.S. figure skater BRIAN BOITANO, who was part of PRESIDENT OBAMA's official delegation to the Games, said, "We feel very strongly about our message: tolerance and diversity. But I don't feel like we need to say anything, really. Everyone knows why we're here. People get it." Boitano, who was not officially out as a gay man until two months ago, added, "This is a different direction for me. It's something I never anticipated. But when I agreed to it, I knew what it would mean" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/8). Meanwhile, former U.S. Dir of Homeland Security JANET NAPOLITANO, who led the delegation at the Opening Ceremony, on Friday said that she is “proud that three openly gay athletes are representing the U.S. government” in Sochi (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/8).
GOING BEHIND THE SCENES: In Baltimore, Mike Klingaman reported former U.S. figure skater KIMMIE MEISSNER is “working for NBC as a research analyst” during Sochi, doing “off-camera grunt work that might seem odd” for the former world champion. Meissner, who finished sixth in the ’06 Turin Games, said, “It’s like being inside the sport and looking out. I have no idea what goes on behind the camera, but I’m curious to see what it’s like.” NBC figure skating analyst SCOTT HAMILTON said that Meissner ultimately "could end up in the broadcast booth.” Hamilton: “She’s very intelligent and well-spoken, with a great personality. I’ll be curious to see how they use her. I hope she does get on the air” (Baltimore SUN, 2/8).
FROM SABRES TO SOCHI: In Buffalo, John Vogl reported Sabres Dir of Security FRANK HENRY will be the security rep for the U.S. and Latvian hockey teams in Sochi, an assignment “that will put him on a first-name basis with players and police.” Henry is going to the Olympics “for the third time,” having “provided security for the Czech Republic team” at the ’02 Salt Lake City Games and ’10 Vancouver Games. Part of Henry’s job “will be to meet with Olympic and arena security chiefs to coordinate the athletes’ trips from the housing village to the games and practices.” There are “significant security concerns” in Sochi, but Henry “doesn’t anticipate any problems” (BUFFALO NEWS, 2/9).
DON'T CALL ME: Rock band BLONDIE has turned down an offer to perform at the Red Rocks Festival '14 during the Sochi Games, citing Russia’s "oppressive human rights right as the reason.” The festival is “scheduled to be held nightly at the Sochi Medals Plaza, following the presentation of each day’s medal winners” (UTSANDIEGO.com, 2/8).
