The Russian government is planning to spend $US 12 billion on developing Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. But amid the huge construction the city is undergoing, there are massive protests from locals unhappy at being relocated because of the Games.

Sochi is a Black Sea resort in southern Russia. It has a subtropical climate and is famous for its beaches, but just several dozen kilometres away from the shore, there are ski tracks and mountain slopes where the snow doesn’t melt even in the summer time.

Russia's State Duma has recently amended laws regulating Olympic construction. They are simplifying the procedure for buying land.

In order to build the Olympic facilities, the authorities will have to relocate more than 40 families from the Imereti valley, which is located close to Sochi.

“As of today, a 40-flat residential house has been built in Sochi. And we are ready to offer them a place to live,” said Sochi’s Mayor, Vladimir Afanasenkov.

However, some home-owners in the Imereti valley do not want to move, saying they like living in this rural community.

“My grandfather, who built this house, was 104 years old when he died. My father-in-law cleansed this bay amid swarms of gnats,” said Alla Mitrofanova, a local.

Nevertheless, the city’s authorities are sticking to their decision to build Olympic venues there. They say this is the only possible site for the ice hockey stadium, skating rink and several other facilities.

The Mayor says that his office will use only lawful methods to convince people to move. In his opinion, now it’s just a matter of bargaining for many locals.

“Five years ago, the land in the Imereti valley didn’t cost a thing. But today, due to the Olympic Games, it’s nothing more than trading,” he said.