Sochi's first Olympic test events postponed due to heavy snow

Like with any Olympic games that are three years away, there's a long list of concerns about the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Will the Black Sea resort be able to handle the influx of international visitors? Can the power grid hold up? How will the nation deal with terrorism threats? And, the classic, will the venues be ready in time?

One thing Sochi organizers shouldn't have to worry about, however, is the weather. Heavy snows forced the postponement of the first Olympic test events at the newly built Rosa Khutor ski resort. A second-tier Europa Cup event was to serve as the inaugural test of the new venue, but a large winter storm delayed the start of races.

It's a big change from test events for the last Olympics in Vancouver, which were marred by cancellations due to warm weather. Rain and unseasonal temperatures had organizers scrambling in the days leading up those Games.

Though the weather is fickle, Sochi officials won't be worrying yet about high temperatures. Daytime highs hit a balmy -6 degrees at the ski resort on Thursday.