The 2014 Winter Olympics, start Friday, but the controversies surrounding the games have made headlines for weeks now — from LGBT rights to terrorism and environmental disasters. The latest news this week includes unfinished hotel rooms, animal rights and yogurt delivery embargoes.
See also: 30 Historic Winter Olympics Photos We'll Never Forget
However, once the games are set to begin, the attention refocused on the Olympic athletes. NBC paid $775 billion to secure the U.S. broadcasting rights to the games, giving viewers more than 539 hours of coverage. The commencement ceremony airs Feb. 7, and the 98 events in 15 winter sports will keep going till the closing ceremony on Feb. 23. But before all that happens, the athletes must first play out a dress rehearsal for the biggest event of their lives.
The sun rises over the Olympic cauldron in the Olympic Park at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 5 in Sochi, Russia.
Vanessa James of France practices with her pairs partner Morgan Cipres at the figure skating practice rink ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4, in Sochi, Russia.
A man walks through the Mountain Olympic Village in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia, prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5.
Edson Bindilatti, the driver of the BRA-1, Brazilian four-man bobsled team, has the track reflected in his goggles as he starts the teams training run at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Ireland's Seamus O'Connor takes a jump during a snowboard slopestyle training session at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
A member of Russian honor guard listens to the Olympic Anthem during a welcome ceremony for the German Olympic team at the Mountain Olympic Village prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Drummers perform as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at the Olympic Athletes Village in the Coastal Cluster ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 5, in Sochi, Russia.
Members of Switzerland's women's ice hockey team warm up at Olympic Park ahead of their practice session prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4, in Sochi, Russia
Japan's Yuki Kadono jumps near a giant matryoshka doll during a snowboard slopestyle training session at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
A competitor takes a jump during a Snowboard Slopestyle training session at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Hidenari Kanayama of Japan completes a training run in the men's luge singles at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
A worker climbs down a roof top of the Bolshoy Ice Dome, site of the ice hockey competitions, ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4, in Sochi, Russia.
A railway passenger jumps under the Olympic rings while having her photo taken by a bystander as water falls from a fountain at the Olympic Park train station ahead of the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5, in Sochi, Russia.
A volunteer poses with the Olympic Rings in Olympic Park as preparations continue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 5, in Sochi, Russia.
Spectators photograph water fountains at Olympic Park during final preparations before the 2014 Winter Olympics, Feb. 3, in Sochi, Russia.