LONDON -- Tuesday marks the 1-month countdown to the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, a defining moment on the world stage

LONDON -- Tuesday marks the 1-month countdown to the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, a defining moment on the world stage for Russia and Vladimir Putin. Nike Tanjun Norge . These games are among the most contentious in Olympic history, embroiled in controversy over terrorist threats, human rights, gay rights, cost overruns, corruption and environmental damage. But is it all doom and gloom for Putins pet project? Before the Olympic cauldron is lit on Feb. 7, its time for a look at the good and the bad for Russias first Winter Games. ------ The negatives: TERROR THREAT: The two bombings in Volgograd -- which killed 34 people in suicide attacks on the rail station and a trolley bus -- have escalated the security alarm. Sochi is located on the edge of the Caucasus region, where insurgents are seeking to create an Islamic state. Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov has urged his fighters to attack the Sochi Olympics, which he described as "satanic dances on the bones of our ancestors." A massive security apparatus will be in place for the games, meaning painstaking metal-detector, X-ray and other checks for athletes, spectators and media. Ticketholders will need to obtain "spectator passes," providing passport and other information to authorities. Email, phone and internet usage will reportedly be monitored by Russian security agencies. Putin is expected to attend many Olympic events, causing further security lockdowns. A heavy presence of Russian security forces could turn the games into an armed camp and undermine any prospect of a welcoming, festival atmosphere. GAY RIGHTS: The Russian law banning gay "propaganda" has caused a furious backlash in the West and tarnished the countrys international reputation heading into the Olympics. While Russia has promised there will be no discrimination at the games, critics continue to bash the law. The IOC has been assailed for not pushing Russia to repeal the legislation. Some athletes are planning to make their views known in Sochi, either by speaking out or carrying or wearing symbols promoting gay rights. Thats something which could land athletes in trouble with the IOC, which prohibits any political gestures at the games. HUMAN RIGHTS: Russias human rights record remains under scrutiny. With the games approaching, Putin has launched a charm offensive of sorts -- pardoning former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and granting amnesty for Pussy Riot punk band members and Greenpeace activists. He has even rescinded an order banning any demonstrations in or around the games. Critics call the moves window dressing. Will protest applications be granted? Will anyone dare come out to demonstrate? Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has accused Russian authorities of mistreating migrant workers and harassing activists and journalists. PUTINS POLITICS: Putins prickly relations with the West have soured any "feel-good" factor about the Olympics. Tensions with the U.S. and President Barack Obama grew after Putin granted temporary asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden. Putins policies on Syria and Iran, and Russias backsliding on democratic reforms have antagonized Western leaders. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. delegation to the Olympics will not include a president, vice-president or first lady. Obama is sending several openly gay athletes, including tennis great Billie Jean King and figure skater Brian Boitano. French President Francois Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck are not going to Sochi, either. WEATHER WORRIES: Sochi is a subtropical resort on the Black Sea. Temperatures on the coast, where the indoor ice events will be held, will be mild. Thats fine, but there is uncertainty over conditions in the mountains for the snow events. While there is already a good layer of snow in place, a spell of warm or wet weather could cause problems. As a precaution, organizers have stored up 450,000 cubic meters of snow. Also worth noting: flooding and avalanches are common in the region. RECORD COST: $51 billion. Thats the overall price tag for the games, by far the most expensive in history, summer or winter, and more than three times the budget of the 2012 London Games. The cost includes the long-term investment in roads, tunnels, railways and ski facilities. Everything has been built from scratch as Russia seeks to turn Sochi into a year-round tourist destination. The costs have soared way above previous projections amid allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption and favours doled out to oligarchs and Putins friends. ------ So whats the good news then? Yes, there are things to look forward to. Heres a sampling: NEW SPORTS: Twelve new events are on the sports program in Sochi, with womens ski jumping perhaps the biggest attraction. Female jumpers are making their debut after being rejected for inclusion in Vancouver four years ago. In a nod to the young X Games generation, the IOC has also added ski halfpipe and ski and snowboard slopestyle events. Snowboard star Shaun White, aka the Flying Tomato, will unveil a new trick -- a frontside double-cork 1440. Its a variation of the Double McTwist 1260 he nailed at the 2010 Vancouver Games. HOCKEY FEVER: The NHL players are back. Hockey is the sport Russia really cares about and the host nation will be out to make amends after the disaster in Vancouver. The Russians failed to medal in hockey, knocked out in the quarterfinals by Canada. It was symbolic of Russias worst overall showing at a Winter Games, winning only 15 medals and finishing 11th in the table. Sochi will offer a chance of redemption for superstar Alex Ovechkin, who is desperate to lead Russia to its first Olympic title since a "Unified Team" of former Soviet republics took gold in Albertville in 1992. Of course, Canada and the U.S. might have something to say about that. SKI STARS: Alpine skiing features the anticipated returns of American stars Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller from knee injuries, though Vonns status remains uncertain. High-profile medal contenders include 18-year-old American Mikaela Shiffrin, as well as Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway and Tina Maze of Slovenia. COMPACT LAYOUT: All the indoor venues and the stadium for the ceremonies are located in the Olympic Park in the coastal cluster. Its possible to walk or take a short shuttle bus between all the venues. The mountain cluster is only about 45 minutes away. Its a much more compact setup than previous games in Vancouver and Turin. Spectators can use a brand new train service to travel between the coast and the mountains. THE VENUES: Theyre brand new, theyre ready and theyll look great on TV. Gleaming arenas are in place for hockey, curling, speedskating and figure skating. THE BOSS: Dmitry Chernyshenko, a native of Sochi, is the affable head of the local organizing committee. The bespectacled Chernyshenko, who comes from the world of advertising, loves technology. He carries an iPad wherever he goes and is an enthusiastic user of Twitter ((at)DChernyshenko, www.twitter.com/DChernyshenko). He led Sochis winning bid for the games and has spent the last seven years getting the city ready for its big moment. THE STAKES: National pride and Putins personal prestige are on the line. Theres simply too much at play for Russia not to make the games a success. Besides, once the competition begins, the athletes take centre stage and the host nation begins winning medals, the atmosphere invariably takes off. AND FINALLY: Hey, the mascots are kind of cute. Air Force 1 Dame Norge . Omar Rahou made the discriminatory gesture several times while celebrating scoring a goal against Romania at Antwerp in January, UEFA said. The sanction was double the five-match ban Nicolas Anelka received from an English Football Association independent tribunal last week for the same act. Nike Roshe One Norge .C. -- After turning Tobacco Road into "Raleigh Top," Tennessee is headed to the round of 16. http://www.airforce1norge.com/nike-sf-air-force-1.html .C. -- After turning Tobacco Road into "Raleigh Top," Tennessee is headed to the round of 16.GOLD COAST, Australia -- Harry Jones scored two tries as Canada advanced to the Bowl final at the Gold Coast Sevens with a 19-14 win over Scotland on Sunday. John Moonlight had Canadas other try in the semifinal, while Connor Braid chipped in with two converts. Canada next faces France in the final after also defeating Spain 29-5 earlier in the day. Moonlights try came one minute into the match, but Braid missed tthe ensuing convert. Air Force 1 Svart Norge. Scotland replied with a try from Joe Nayacavou and a convert to take a 7-5 lead, but Jones and Braid hooked up to give Canada a 12-7 lead at halftime. Scotland again went ahead with a try, this time from Andrew Turnbull, and a convert to open the second half. But Jones and Braid once again scored and Canadas defence did the rest of the work to move into the final. ' ' '