365 days to go until Sochi

Cities across Russia began the festivities by unveiling special clocks in their main squares which are to countdown the days, hours and minutes until the Sochi Winter Games open in one year's time.

The capital, Moscow, unveiled a clock measuring six meters (19.69-feet) in height near Red Square. The mayor, Sergei Sobyanin was joined by Olympic champions Svetlana Zhurova and Ivan Ukhov for the unveiling ceremony.

President Putin was in Sochi to take part in the celebrations in the Black Sea resort on Thursday.

"We have reached a point where the Olympic dreams and hopes begin," Putin told the ceremony at the Sochi's ice dome.

"The works in Sochi have had no precedent in the history of Russia or the Olympic movement," the president said. "We all know how important it is to believe and move towards one's dream."

The head of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, expressed confidence that construction on all of the facilities would be completed in time for the start of the Games, in exactly one year's time.

"I have no doubt that Sochi will be ready," Rogge said, before thanking the Russian president for his "unwavering commitment."

High-flying casualty

Despite Rogge's apparent confidence in the Russian organizers, not all was well 365 days before the Olympic flame was set to be ignited.

Following a visit to the Russkie Gorky ski-jumping complex on Wednesday, President Putin expressed his anger over major construction delays and cost overruns. He subsequently ordered the deputy head of Russia's Olympic Committee be fired.

"The decision about the sacking has been taken," Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak told the Interfax news agency. "People who do not carry out their obligations to such an extent cannot lead the Olympic movement of our country."

Also on Thursday, tickets for the Games went on sale to Russians and foreign residents of the country. They start at 500 rubles (12.35 euros, $16.55), with the most expensive going for 50,000.

pfd/rc (AFP, dpa, AP)