Sochi 2014: A look at the venues
07.03.2013Here’s a brief look at how the venues in Sochi are shaping up for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
"Fisht" Olympic Stadium has a capacity of 40,000 seats for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games
© • Sochi 2014
"Shayba" Arena will host the Ice Sledge Hockey at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games
© • Sochi 2014
"Ice Cube" Curling Centre is one of the venues for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games
© • Alina Pavlyuchik, World Curling Federation
"Laura" Cross-country Ski and Biathlon centre is one of the venues for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games
© • Sochi 2014
Rosa Khutor Alpine Centre will host the alpine skiing and snowboard competitions at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games.
© • Sochi 2014
The largest Sochi venue will be the Fisht Olympic Stadium, which will play host to the Opening and Closing Ceremony.
Fisht Olympic Stadium
The largest Sochi venue will be the Fisht Olympic Stadium, which will play host to the Opening and Closing Ceremony.
Designed like a shell and inspired by Russia's famous Faberge Egg, the stadium’s design was developed to meet the requirments of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as well as international best practices in accessibility for people with an impairment. Within walking distance of the Paralympic Village, this is the only arena in the Olympic Park where sporting events are not going to be held.
It has also already been chosen as one of 11 arenas for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
By the numbers
Capacity: 40,000 seats
Luxury suites: 60
Building height: 69.3m
Shayba Arena
Ice sledge hockey players at Sochi 2014 will play at the Shayba Arena, which has been deemed one of the most beautiful venues at the Games and provides maximum comfort for the athletes and spectators.
The venue’s construction began in 2012, and the arena’s outer appearance incorporates the shape of a snow whirlwind or a puck in motion. Once the first cubic meter of concrete had been poured in, the constructors put symbolic ice hockey puck into the arena's foundation.
By the numbers
Capacity: 7,000 seats
Building height: 22.8m
Weight of building’s metal frame: 4,700,000kg
Ice Cube Curling Centre
As a most miniature sports venue in the Olympic Park, the Ice Cube Curling Centre features a laconic design, as themes of democracy, accessibility and celebration can be read into it, all of characteristic of the Paralympic Games.
There will be a huge screen on the facade over the entrance, displaying broadcasts of various Paralympic events.
Last month’s World Wheelchair Curling Championships were held here, as Canada defeated Sweden for gold.
After winning gold, Canadian skip Jim Armstrong said: “I think it was probably one of the best wheelchair curling games ever. It speaks well for the facility, it’s a new facility. I really think Sochi should be proud and I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to come back next year.”
By the numbers
Capacity: 3,000 seats
Area of construction: 2.6 hectares
Height of the building: 19.3m
The total mass of the arenas structure: 1,148,000kg
Costs of construction: 14 million US dollars
Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Centre
After winning five titles apiece at the 2013 IPC Nordic World Championships in Solleftea, Sweden earlier this month, Russia’s Roman Petushkov and Mikhalina Lysova awill have opportunity to prove their power on the snow next year in front of their home country at the brand new Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Centre.
The venue is unique on the winter sports circuit given that it consists of two separate stadiums with their own start zones and finish zones, two separate sets of tracks for cross-country skiing and biathlon, a shooting range and a warm-up zones for the athletes.
By the numbers
Capacity: 18,000 spectators
Total ski and biathlon track length: 15km
Rosa Khutor Alpine Centre
This venue will host both the alpine skiing and snowboard cross events for the upcoming Games.
In order to ensure the operation of the courses, the Alpine Centre is equipped with ski lifts and one of the largest artificial snowmaking systems in Europe.
It will host the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup next week, which will also serve as the Sochi 2014 test event.
By the numbers
Capacity: 7,500 spectators
Length of slope: 9km
