Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Sberbank President German Gref (L) visit Olympic venues near Sochi January 3, 2014. REUTERS/Alexei Nikolskiy/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin has eased curbs on demonstrations in the Winter Olympics venue of Sochi in a gesture likely to burnish Russia's image ahead of an event dogged by security and human rights worries.
Keenly aware that the success or failure of the Games will help shape his legacy, Putin has closely identified himself with the $50 billion project. He made a surprise inspection of venues in the Black Sea resort on Friday and was shown on Russian state television skiing down a slope in dark glasses and a helmet.
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