Olympic Notes: Seven People Killed In 'Special Operation' Ahead Of Sochi Games

Three Russian servicemen and four gunmen "were killed in a shootout in southern Russia on Wednesday during a sweep for militants before the Sochi Winter Olympics." Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a statement that "a group of militants had been trapped in a house in the village of Karlanyurt in the Dagestan region of the North Caucasus." Five officers "were also wounded" in what a spokesperson "called a special operation" (REUTERS, 1/15). ... India's Winter Games chief said that two Indian athletes "could be forced to pull out of next month's Sochi Olympics because promised state funds for kit and equipment have not been released." Winter Games Federation of India President Surendra Singh Patwal said that "time was running out for two of India's three competitors" who each need about $7,500 to take part in the Olympics (AFP, 1/14).