SOCHI 2014: The Russian ruble is the newest piece of Olympic memorabilia.

On Tuesday, Russia’s Central Bank said it would print 100-ruble banknotes in March with an Olympic theme.

"The banknote will be beautiful," deputy chairman Georgy Luntovsky was quoted  by news agency RIA Novosti,  He decliined to go into further details of the note’s design. He did say the note would be a different color than the standard, red 100-ruble note.

It's the second time a central bank has issued Olympic-themed notes. In 2008, the Chinese central bank printed notes featuring the Bird’s Nest Stadium and Myron’s Diskobolus.

Also on Tuesday, the bank unveiled its design of commemorative coins for the 2013 Universiade in Kazan.

Coke Torchbearer Search

Coca-Cola is searching for 2,014 torchbearers for the Sochi relay that begins in October.

A statement says the nomination period will run Jan. 15 through March 17. Spots are open for any Russian over the age of 14.

While anyone may enter, the beverage giant said in a statement it's looking for the “most worthy of millions of people across the country who lead an active lifestyle and seek to change the lives of people around for better.”

The final list will be selected by an independent jury made up of leading Russian athletes and celebrities, including Alex Ovechkin and Elena Isinbayeva.

“We understand the importance of the event for the inhabitants of the country; therefore, we will make our best for the success of the campaign,” said Zoran Vucinic, the President, Russia, Ukraine & Belarus Business Unit for Coca-Cola.

Sochi 2014 President Dmitry Chernyshenko added: “It is very important to convey to the people of Russia detailed information on this unique possibility; therefore, it is difficult to overestimate the work of the organizers of the nomination campaign.”

Sochi to Set Retail Record

Sochi 2014 will have a total 4,300 retail stores with Games souvenirs, which the organizing committee calls a Winter Olympic record.

The mark will be set following a sponsorship with Sochi 2014 and X5 Retail Group announced Tuesday.

Under the deal, the three retail divisions of X5 – Pyaterochka stores, Perekrestok supermarkets and Karusel hypermarkets – will have the rights to sell official merchandise as the retail sales operator. In a statement, Sochi 2014 says X5 expects to sell “several million units” of Sochi 2014 items.

"Sochi 2014 Olympic retail sales volume will rise to a new level thanks to cooperation with one of the largest Russian retail chains," said Chernyshenko.

"We are transitioning to the more convenient retail sales format for the customer, when one can buy Sochi 2014 merchandise close to his home. This really is a unique way to promote the Sochi 2014 brand through the popularity and broad coverage of X5 stores so that Sochi 2014 goods will now be very visible."

Mikhail Susov, Director of Corporate Affairs of X5 Retail Group, added: "We are proud of the fact that the X5 Retail Group, who’s Pyaterochka, Perekrestok and Karusel stores serve around 2 billion shoppers every year will become a part of history and make their contribution to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the development of mass sports in Russia."

Rosa Khutor Closes

Rosa Khutor, site of skiing and snowboarding events for the 2014 Games, is closing to the public.

Russian media say the move is to accommodate the series of test events at the mountain resort over the next few months.

Ed Hula III
Around The Rings