Sochi Olympics: The good and the bad

RECORD COST: $51 billion. That's the overall price tag for the games, by far the most expensive in history, summer or winter, and more than three times the budget of the 2012 London Games. The cost includes the long-term investment in roads, tunnels, railways and ski facilities. Everything has been built from scratch as Russia seeks to turn Sochi into a year-round tourist destination. The costs have soared way above previous projections amid allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption and favors doled out to oligarchs and Putin's friends.
  
So what's the good news then? Yes, there are things to look forward to. Here's a sampling:
  
NEW SPORTS: Twelve new events are on the sports program in Sochi, with women's ski jumping perhaps the biggest attraction. Female jumpers are making their debut after being rejected for inclusion in Vancouver four years ago. In a nod to the young X Games generation, the IOC has also added ski halfpipe and ski and snowboard slopestyle events. Snowboard star Shaun White, aka the Flying Tomato, will unveil a new trick -- a frontside double-cork 1440. It's a variation of the Double McTwist 1260 he nailed at the 2010 Vancouver Games.