It was once a quiet summer retreat for Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, but now the Russian city of Sochi is gearing up to welcome the world to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. (Feb. 5)
SHOTLIST:
AP – AP Clients Only
Sochi, Russia – Jan. 31 2013
1. Wide of traffic
2. Tight of Stalin statue
3. Pan of construction
4. SOUNDBITE: RUSSIAN Anatoly Pakhomov, Sochi City Mayor (Transcript Below)
5.Wide of sea
6. Wide of alley
7. People on Street
8. MOS RUSSIAN
9. Construction
10 2014 sign
VOICE-OVER SCRIPT:
It’s a city on the mend.
Sochi, Russia once home to Joseph Stalin’s summer retreat, the area is now undergoing a massive facelift as it prepares to host the 2014 winter games.
NATSOUND RUSSIAN.
The mayor himself says all of this work is to help make the city that much more convenient and comfortable.
If there’s any irony to Sochi hosting the games it is that it’s known for its tropical climate with winter being the low season.
And residents say they hope all the attention will help turn the place around.
NATSOUND RUSSIAN
This man says the city is dilapidated with beautiful buildings next to ramshackle homes.
Officials though are hoping all of that will change in just one year’s time.
_____/Associated Press
