The Sochi 2014 Olympic venues welcomed their first winter action over the weekend.

The International Skating Union Grand Prix Finals and FIS Ski Jumping World Cup were the inaugural test events for Sochi and featured almost 200 competitors from around the world. To view images from the test events click here>>>

"The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee together with Russian and international federations have successfully hosted the first major international competitions,” Sochi 2014 President and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said.

“We are very happy that we fit the highest requirements of the international federations.”

“We have reached all our goals for the testing of centralised services and services for the client groups and the Organising Committee operational readiness,” he explained.

One of Sochi’s challenges lies in the fact it is a Winter Olympic by the sea- where temperatures could reach up to 15 degrees in February during the 2014 Games.

Chernyshenko stressed that the Russians are prepared for the unexpected. The test events exemplified this as they were conducted in warm weather and with little snow so the “Sochi 2014: Guaranteed Snow” program was put to the test.

Organisers needed 4,600 cubic square meters of reserve snow to cover the RusSki Gorki jumping centre for competition where athletes from 19 countries.

“It is a good hill, the jump is smooth,” said Russian ski jumper Veshchikova Anastasia at the inaugural women’s ski jump test event which was won by Austrian Daniela Iraschko.

“The weather is warm, but it is very nice that snow has been delivered. It will be ok for the Games, as they will be in February.”

The Sochi contingency plans include real snow from the previous winter season stored in a special reservoir (plan B) and a special snow producing plant (plan C).

“In case there is an exception and we have bad weather like there was in Vancouver, we have a plan B and a plan C which we have already successfully tested here we can cover this wonderful ski jump in snow,” Chernyshenko said.

Across town at the Iceberg Skating Palace Russian President Vladimir Putin watched the Figure Skating finals from the stands.

“I would like to say that everything at the Iceberg Skating Palace creates a really good impression,” ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta said.

“The arena has been prepared thoroughly and we can only congratulate our Russian colleagues on a job well done. It deserves respect".

Cinquanta did, however, raise concerns that the placement of thick bars in the upper bowl of the Iceberg Palace could block spectator’s views. Some athletes and media also questioned the low attendance (25,000 over the weekend)- something organisers put down to the limited number of seating currently available.

Sochi 2014 said they would take note of Cinquanta’s suggestion.

“Following the test events in 2012-2013 being over, Sochi 2014 will carefully analyse the vital feedback we received from the international federations, athletes, media and broadcasters to take all the appropriate decision well ahead of the Games.

“We are determined to deliver the best possible Games in 2014 and the learnings from the test events play a vital part in achieving this goal."

Putin, who was accompanied by IOC Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli, Sochi 2014 Coordination Commission Chair Jean-Claude Killy, ISU President Cinquanta and Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko, warned organisers not to rest on their laurels.

"I am pointing out to all my colleagues that the final stage is the most important and the most responsible step for the Games," Putin said.

"We will do everything on time and properly."

From an athlete’s point of view, the city of Sochi made a great impression.

“Everything was perfect here in Sochi and I'm already looking forward to the Olympic
Games," women’s ski jump silver medallist Coline Mattel of France said.

"I love the Olympic Park, it's beautiful. The day I came, I took so many pictures because
I was just so excited," skating bronze medallist Patrick Chan of Canada said.

“It’s the first time we compete at this (skating) arena, the conditions here are very good, and the ice is at the best level,” Russian skater Yuri Larionov said.

“We’ve really liked the competition’s organization. It’s very nice that many other competitions will take place there, including Olympic Games.”

Taya Conomos with Around the Rings