2014 Winter Olympics: Sochi images range from the bizarre to the sublime

The Winter Olympics are under way, and you've probably heard all about the "readiness problems" facing Sochi. Hundreds of media members and athletes have posted images to social media and the pictures are often amusing, if not disconcerting. Hotels are not fully operational – and in some cases, not even structurally sound. The Olympic zone still looks like a construction area. Athletes' luggage has been lost.

Behold, some of the utterly bizarre images coming out of Sochi:

U.S. bobsledder Johnny Quinn's "great escape":

...With no phone to call for help, I used my bobsled push training to break out. #SochiJailBreak pic.twitter.com/apZRefgvCO
— Johnny Quinn (@JohnnyQuinnUSA) February 8, 2014

Toilet signage:

Well that's interesting... Sochi rules in the bathrooms!! #haha #olympics pic.twitter.com/xacSVimwXY
— Sebastien Toutant (@SebToots) February 1, 2014

People have asked me what surprised me the most here in Sochi. It's this. Without question ... it's ... THIS. pic.twitter.com/1jj05FNdCP
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 4, 2014

Top signage #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/SHU2j3JyIh
— Jonathan Edwards (@JDE66) February 4, 2014

Opening ceremony glitch:

Something seems a bit off about this pic.twitter.com/GkzihS0QRP
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) February 7, 2014

Construction zones:

On the way to the media center. The street is not quite ready yet. #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/5lA4tmGoNz
— Simon Rosner (@SimonRosner) February 6, 2014

The Sochi skyline:

Not bad, Putin. RT @olympics Sochi by night. #olympics pic.twitter.com/7bKdGLduGS
— Michael Singer (@RealMikeSinger) February 3, 2014

Accommodation problems:

This is the one hotel room @Sochi2014 have given us so far. Shambles. #cnnsochi pic.twitter.com/RTjEkmyan3
— Harry Reekie (@HarryCNN) February 4, 2014

Hey @SochiProblems do I get a little credit for solving one? http://t.co/gyKi1gORXA pic.twitter.com/r7tXzBtE2z
— Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) February 7, 2014

A lot of complaints about the accommodations. This is the foyer of my apartment. #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/gKnxCywKF0
— Mark Connolly (@MarkConnollyCBC) February 6, 2014

Cozy quarters for hockey players:

Crosby could have to sleep in one of these beds. No frills for Canada men's hockey: http://t.co/ismTHD9s6h pic.twitter.com/5e7sWrYSSK
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) February 4, 2014

Questionable hotel water:

Water restored, sorta. On the bright side, I now know what very dangerous face water looks like. #Sochi #unfiltered pic.twitter.com/sQWM0vYtyz
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) February 4, 2014

Animals abound:

More stray cats at the MMC..sadly not the band pic.twitter.com/CYebb5pEcG
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) February 4, 2014

Sign near front door where media breakfast served in my coastal cluster hotel: Sure looks like t/ dog we call Sausage pic.twitter.com/2xPRbeOPOB
— Jo-Ann Barnas (@JoAnnBarnas) February 4, 2014

Meet the puppies of the Olympic ski jump venue. #SochiStrays pic.twitter.com/Pba8cwE7yf
— NYT Olympics (@SochiNYT) February 5, 2014

It's not all chaos and confusion, though ... there are also images of sheer beauty:

Black Sea sunset:

Don't know what I've enjoyed most, sunrise over the mountains or sunset over the Black Sea #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/Xn1BQLfaE8
— Jo-Ann Barnas (@JoAnnBarnas) February 5, 2014

Olympic rings:

Bolshoy Ice Dome with a double view of the Olympic Rings #olympics pic.twitter.com/vweKge0qY9
— Olympics (@Olympics) February 3, 2014

High-altitude beauty:

From the top of the Olympic ski jump. No thanks, I think I'll take the stairs. pic.twitter.com/n8nIsNgbSg
— Joe Ward (@wardnyt) February 4, 2014

What a shot. RT @SebToots: Russia ain't that bad! The mountains have crazy terrains to shred! Love it. pic.twitter.com/nIyBlLc6OF
— Ollie Williams (@OllieW) February 4, 2014

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