Irish find feet in mountains

The doomsday scenarios surrounding the Winter Olympics seemed as plentiful as the snow which covers the sprawling complexes of Sochi and its hinterland.

Fears of terrorist attacks, concerns over infrastructure and worries about Russia’s ability to deal with an event of this magnitude have dominated the build-up to the Games.

Yet Olympic Council of Ireland chief executive Stephen Martin, who is chef de mission for this event, has been reassured by his first impressions of the host city.