rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi
This article was first published 10 years ago

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi

February 08, 2014 14:18 IST


Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The icy relationship between Russia and the West spread to Sochi as many leaders kept away from the Winter Olympics. Syria, Russia’s anti-gay law and human rights were reason enough for the snub.

So there was no Barack Obama and no David Cameron at Friday’s dazzling opening ceremony. But Russian President Vladimir Putin wasn’t exactly left friendless.

Asian leaders, those from former Soviet republics and a few royals joined Putin in the VIP box. And they all seem to be having a ball.

Rediff.com brings you a few candid moments from Sochi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Olympic Village Mayor Elena Isinbaeva while visiting the Coastal Cluster Olympic Village at the Athletes Village.

Click NEXT for more photos...       

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: David Goldman/Getty Images

Afghan President Hamid Karzai waits to order a coffee in the presidential lounge before the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.

Click NEXT for more photos... 

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: David Goldman/Getty Images

Putin toasts guests in the presidential lounge after the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.

Click NEXT for more photos...    

Tags: Sochi , Putin

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: Lionel Bonaventure/Getty Images

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves from the presidential tribune during the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Click NEXT for more photos...     


Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Japan PM Shinzo Abe and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and wife Emine attend the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium.

Click NEXT for more photos...

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: David Goldman/Reuters

Karzai watches fireworks during the opening ceremony at the Games.

Click NEXT for more photos...

Tags: Sochi , Karzai

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: David Goldman/Reuters

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych watches the opening ceremony in Sochi.

Click NEXT for more photos...

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: Lionel Bonaventura/Reuters

King Constantine of Greece smiles on arrival for the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Click NEXT for more photos...

Tags: Sochi , Greece

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: Lionel Bonaventura/Reuters

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attends the opening ceremony.

Click NEXT for more photos...


Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: Lionel Bonaventura/Reuters

Dutch King Willem-Alexander arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Click NEXT for more photos...

Tags: Sochi

Coffee, conversations and more @ Sochi


Photographs: Lionel Bonaventura/Reuters

Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene enjoy the opening ceremony at Sochi.

Click NEXT for more photo features...

TOP photo features you missed last week


Click on MORE to see another PHOTO feature...

Tags: 1