Putin heads to Sochi for Olympics events

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to arrive in Sochi on Tuesday to participate in the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games, the Kremlin said Monday.

Putin will take part in the 126th session of the International Olympic Committee, Kremlin press service said.

In the days remaining before the Games' start, Putin plans to inspect the Olympic village and attend the flag-raising ceremony. He also is going to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Sochi on Feb. 6.

On Feb. 7 at 20:14 Moscow time (1614 GMT), Putin will formally open the Olympic Games in front of the 40,000 audience and over 40 world leaders in the Fisht arena. In total, about 60 world leaders have announced their plans to visit Sochi Olympics.

The Winter Olympics in Sochi are to take place on Feb. 7-23 with 98 sets of medal to grab.