Russia Emerges as Overall Victor

GAMES\\ The Winter Olympics started this month at Sochi, Russia, amid protests from the LGBT community after the Russian government criminalised homosexuality. Russian protest group Pussy Riot were beaten with whips by Cossacks helping patrol Sochi during the Winter Olympics. February 17, 2014, the pair were arrested on suspicion of theft at Sochi, but later released. With 13 golds and 33 overall medals, the host nation Russia emerged as the decisive victor of the games. Norway, the skiing king, won 11 gold medals and 26 overall, followed by Canada at 10 gold medals and 25 overall. It was not a good year for the United States, who placed fourth in gold medals, with nine, and 28 overall medals—nine fewer than the last winter games in Vancouver.