The Only Olympic Primer You’ll Need

There's something very special about the Winter Olympics. Every four years, the world descends on a sleepy, nondescript corner of the world, and shines a light on the most esoteric of sports. This year, it's Sochi, the remote Russian resort city perched on the coast of The Black Sea. The lead up to what are being dubbed "Putin's Games," after the country's mercurial leader, have been nothing short of a disaster. While the intention was to shine a light on a new Russia, most of the focus has fallen on the country's prehistoric anti-gay laws, and the looming threat of terrorism from the various criminal factions that operate within the region.

But, we're here to tell you that Sochi isn't all doom and gloom. If you look past the endless security, beyond the protests and the boycotts, there's real magic to be found. There's an 18-year-old wunderkind who's ready to turn the slopes into her coming out party, and her 55-year-old counterpart who's living proof that age is just a number. There's a fearless speed skater who will pursue immortality right before our eyes, while a superstar and his snowboard will attempt things we've never seen before. And, it will all play out in rolling hills, twisting tracks, and state-of-the-art venues befitting of the grandest stage of all. It's the Winter Olympics people, and this is your primer.