With 2014 Sochi Olympic ticket sales opening in U.S. Monday, here's a look at venues taking shape

It's less than a year now until the Sochi Winter Olympics begin. Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated the occasion Thursday by firing a top official for missing deadlines and blowing budgets on a ski-jumping venue. Meanwhile, the Olympics' official U.S. ticket reseller, CoSport, is marking the occasion by (surprise!) opening sales. They begin at 9 a.m. Los Angeles Times on Monday on the company website.

But before you buy, take a look at some of the venues, photographed this week, and how they're coming along.

--Christopher Reynolds

February 8, 2013