Thank you to Vladimir Putin for the Sochi Games that Are So Far Working

It's St. Valentine's Day - a day for love and friendship, so let's put aside the world's many heavy burdens today and take a trip to Sochi, for Russia's Winter Olympic Games. They got off to a rough start, with unfinished hotel rooms and funny-colored water. But President Vladimir Putin was able to make it all work reasonably well - tight security, hotel rooms for all and well-prepared sports venues. The water is still funny, but nobody seems to be ill. The TV coverage is often disjointed and more complete coverage of major events would be appreciated by fans around the world. But these faults are balanced by the reports out of Sochi that the Russians are providing friendly service. That is real progress because Russians, while very warm and friendly in private, tend to be cold when in service jobs. ~~~~~ And the great news for Switzerland is that it has 5 gold medals, only 2 behind the leader Germany. Congratulations to my adoptive country...and to all small countries that provide the backbone of Olympic competition while often resting in the shadows of the world's sports superpowers. Now, let's all cheer for Jamaica's bobsled team. That would be real Cinderella stuff that legends are made of. ~~~~~ In another display of the international friendship that the Olympic Games try to foster, Russian President Putin dropped in on US Olympic headquarters today for a casual chitchat about the Winter Games and the upcoming Russia-US ice hockey showdown. According to AP, he even wore a red "Happy Valentine's Day from Team USA" pin on his lapel. Putin spent a half hour at USA House in Sochi's Olympic Park, sitting on a couch talking with US Olympic Committee chairman Larry Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun. Putin's visit offered a sharp contrast to the antagonistic political relations between Washington and Moscow over issues like Ukraine, Syria, Edward Snowden, gay rights and human rights. President Barack Obama is not the attending the games. In what is seen as a snub, the US delegation to the Olympics does not include a president, former president, vice president or first lady for the first time since 2000. But global politics took a back seat Friday as Putin turned up the charm during a visit that appeared calculated to defuse tensions and soften his image, and surely also remind everyone he is the central force behind Russia's Games. In the open-air terrace in the center of the USA House, as American athletes, families, sponsors and fans looked on, Putin was described as relaxed and "genuinely interested in whether we were having a quality experience at the games," Blackmun said. The upcoming preliminary round men's hockey game between the Americans and Russians has revived memories of the "Miracle on Ice," when the US beat the Soviets to win the gold medal at the 1980 Games in Lake Placid. "There are many Russians in the NHL," Putin told the Americans, according to Russian news agencies. "I promise you we have a lot of fans who love and know American players." In fact, Putin may be among them in a country where ice hockey is the king of sports. Putin is expected to attend the US-Russia game. Putin praised the performance of US athletes in Sochi, telling them he admired their balanced strong participation in practically every discipline. Putin also thanked the US for supporting Sochi's Olympic bid. Sochi was awarded the games in 2007 after Putin traveled to Guatemala to lead the presentation. "We remember that, and are thankful to our American friends for the support," Putin said. Putin's visit to USA House started with some American athletes saying "Welcome!" to him in Russian. He answered "Thanks!" in English, according to Russian news agencies. From USA House, Putin stopped at Canada House next door. ~~~~~ Dear readers, Vladimir Putin had and has a gigantic load to carry in Sochi. The security threats alone pose enormous challenges. And holding Winter Games at a summer resort provides problems for the athlietes who must compete on snow that is often slushy. But, let's give credit where credit is due. The Sochi Games are so far working. And if security can permit, it would be a fine gesture if the United States and other western powers sent high profile delegations to the Closing Ceremony as a way of thanking Vladimir Putin for his extraordinary effort and success against great odds.