Best Sochi Quotes & Sayings

There's a better way to speak out against President Putin and call out his bigotry for exactly what it is: speaking up for equal rights and educating people around the world about the persistence of homophobia. Rather than boycott, I, along with several amazing organizations including Athlete Ally and All Out, plan to use the Sochi Games as a teachable moment for the world. — Greg Louganis

I had that in Sochi, then this year I got plantar fasciitis in my right foot. That's what has been really bugging me. It's a lot of scar tissue on the bottom of my right foot and (I feel it) every time when I pick for a flip or a Lutz. But mostly when I land on it, I can feel it the most. It's still not healed, it's still bugging me here, but I'm doing what I can. — Gabrielle Daleman

I have run with the Olympic Torch during the 2012 summer games in London and the 2014 winter games in Sochi. — Ban Ki-moon

With Russia about to hold the Winter Games in Sochi, the country is open to pressure. American and world leaders must speak out against Mr. Putin's attacks and the violence they foster. The Olympic Committee must demand the retraction of these laws under threat of boycott. — Harvey Fierstein

My mom is my role model. Charlie and I have two great sets of parents, but our moms are often the ones that go with us to competitions. My mom was with me in Sochi. I am so lucky to be a part of the Thank You Mom program partnered with Puffs and P&G. — Meryl Davis

If you've never been in a men's room, and have only set foot in the ladies' room at most fine (and not so fine) establishments, you need to know this: store owners hate men. No, really - this is the one area where women get treated better. We may earn seventy-seven cents on the dollar compared to men, but, by God, our public bathrooms don't look like something out of a Soviet-era prison. Or worse - a Sochi hotel during the Olympics. — Julia Kent

As for the sport, even there Kasparov couldn't resist a sideswipe. Most of the gold in Sochi will go to Switzerland, but into secret bank accounts. — Anonymous

I'd love to open a tennis school for children in my hometown of Sochi. — Maria Sharapova

While the behavior of the Russian government, Putin and Putin punks are abhorrent, nothing will be changed by boycotting the Sochi Winter Games. In fact, those who are appalled by the treatment of LGBT Russian citizens will lose an incredible opportunity for the world to show their disgust. — David Mixner

Since the break-up of the 1990s, Russia has not had winter sports facilities. All the winter sport venues were effectively located in countries that are no longer part of the federation. There is a strong argument for saying Sochi's legacy will be this country will have winter sports facilities it did not have before. — Sebastian Coe

The mayor of Sochi is now saying that there are no gay people in Sochi. So the only thing that is flaming over there now is the Olympic torch. — David Letterman

The Sochi Games is not only my second Olympics, but the 'retirement stage' for me, so I want to have a greater experience than any other competition before. In the past, I had strong concepts for short programs and lyrical ones for the long. But this time, it's the other way around. — Kim Yuna

I always thought the Vancouver Olympics would be my last destination, but I'm extending it to Sochi ... I want to start anew, not as an Olympic medalist but just as yet another figure skater. — Kim Yuna

I've decided to make my main priority for the next two years not playing the violin, but training for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. — Vanessa Mae

Olympics are probably the most important thing for Russians than any other athletes in the whole world. Since I was a little kid and since everybody was a little kid, their dream was playing in Olympic Games, especially if we have a chance to represent our country in Sochi, it's unbelievable and it's going to be a great thing. — Alexander Ovechkin

Sochi started with the same problem as every Winter Olympics. Forget the crass commercialism, the fake amateurism, NBC's refusal to televise important events live to all its viewers. As an event, the Winter Games fail on the most basic level. They're lousy to watch. — Alex Berenson

While starving refugees in Homs were providing target practice for government snipers, Bashar al-Assad's strongest international backer was in Sochi, at the Iceberg Skating Palace, visibly moved, smiling with deep satisfaction, as the Russians beautifully glided and leaped their way to the gold medal in the team event. — George Packer

When I came back on the rink in 2012, I set a goal of wrapping up my career well rather than just winning medals. I'm not preparing for any special skills for Sochi because I don't feel like they are necessary. — Kim Yuna

The games haven't even started yet and already there are people complaining about the horrible accommodations at the Sochi Olympic village. Toilets don't flush. The faucets spew discolored water. They say it's like being on a Royal Caribbean cruise. — Jay Leno

No, it's not healed. It happened in Sochi and it's been going on and off all season. It's been bugging me throughout my entire Grand Prix season. Coming here, my foot was bothering me. I knew when to push my foot and when not to. I know that it was all in my head. I knew if I didn't think about it too much, it wouldn't bother me too much. But it's been getting better. Still not fully healed but it's getting much better than it has been. — Gabrielle Daleman

The goal for me is the Olympics. It's Sochi and doing my best there. And, you know, my best has the potential to be on the podium. — Jeremy Abbott

The whole world knows that American TV companies have monopolized Olympic broadcasts and in order to please the fans in their country they do everything they can to keep American viewers interested in what is going on at the hockey rink in Sochi. According to their logic, Americans should always win, no matter what. It was absolutely obvious that [Fyodor] Tyutin's goal yesterday should have been allowed. This was clear to the whole world except the American referee, American TV and those officials with American passports who rule international hockey, grossly neglecting all Olympic principles. — Ivan Ilyin

Much of the international unease with the Sochi Games has focused on the threat of terrorism, Putin's domestic repressiveness, and the Russian campaign of anti-gay propaganda. — George Packer

Sochi will be my third Olympics, and I'm coming into these games in a stronger position than I've been in years past. — Ted Ligety