Elation, anger, anticipation, and resentment are just a few of the sentiments surrounding the 2014 Winter Olympics to be hosted in Sochi, Russia from Feb. 7 to 23.

The best athletes from around the globe will gather in the spirit of unity and competition, participating in 15 different events ranging from figure skating to luge, each contending to bring home their own coveted Olympic gold medal.

Approximately 90 countries around the world are readying their Olympic teams for the competitions, including seven countries expected to make their Winter Olympic debuts – Dominica, Malta, Paraguay, Timor Leste, Tonga, Togo, and Zimbabwe. The US is sending 224 athletes.

The 22nd Winter Olympic Games feature two newly built venues – the Sochi Olympic Park will host indoor events, including the opening ceremonies, and the outdoor Krasnaya Polyana is set to host outdoor competitions. With a budget estimated to exceed $50 million, Sochi 2014 is in place to be the most expensive Olympic Games yet, even surpassing the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Daniel Hudkins, Director of Instructional Technology, is particularly looking forward to the skiing events.

“My daughter was a ski racer before we moved out here, and skiing is something I do, so it’s something I can identify with more,” Hudkins said.

Many students, however, are not watching the Olympics, such as Yasemin Narin (10).

“I just don’t have time this year,” she said.

The Russian hosted Olympic Games has sparked tremendous controversy, most of which revolves around the nation’s strict anti-LGBT policies passed in 2013. Promoted by President Vladmir Putin, Russian legislation acts to ban the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” in an effort to promote traditional Russian Orthodox values, according to CBS News.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) responded to the discussion by stating that it had received explicit assurances from Putin that athletes attending the games would not experience discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The IOC additionally declared that it was not within the scope of Olympic jurisdiction to influence the laws within any nation, as the central focus of the Games was to demonstrate peace, respect, and coexistence.

“I don’t think the Olympic Committee has to really step in because it might not be their rightful place,” said sophomore Natasha Santhanam, agreeing with the IOC’s handling of the controversy.

Aishu Murari (10) is concerned about the legislative immunity of the athletes.

“It would be pretty unfair if any athletes were arrested in Russia for partaking in any ‘gay activities,” she said.

Yet, precedents exist demonstrating the IOC taking the opposite approach, such as when South Africa was banned from the Games between 1964 and 1991 on account of apartheid.

Despite the controversy, many students did not know about these laws, such as junior Chirag Aswani, who was surprised to learn about the anti-LGBT legislation.

“I was not aware of these policies, but they definitely are going to shape the way I view the games,” he said.

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games will be broadcasted on NBC beginning on Feb. 7.