Putin, Medvedev Hit Slopes To Check Sochi Olympic Sites

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (center) visit the mountain Laura Cross Country and Biathlon Center near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where the Winter Olympics will be staged in February, on January 3.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev have taken to the ski slopes in Sochi just a month ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics there.

Putin and Medvedev were shown on state television skiing down runs at Krasnaya Polyana, the venue for outdoor sports at the Sochi games.

The two did not ski down slopes that will be used in the Olympics, however.

The two leaders also toured some of the other venues for Olympic sports, as well as hotels.

Putin took the opportunity to meet with some of the Russian athletes training at Sochi.

The Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi from February 7-23.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax