SOCHI - I have been meaning to share links to stories that my colleagues in the Ball State at the Games project have done this week. The twenty-two students and two translators are not eligible for official media credentials, so they have faced the daunting task of writing about athletes, spectators and the sites of the Olympic Games with limited access. 

 After today, the group will have two more complete days of reporting time before it departs for Moscow and the trip home on Saturday. A number of stories remain incomplete, but the students are expected to finish as many of them as possible before their immersive learning experience concludes. One of the stories still being developed focuses on Sandpoint native Nate Holland, who is here to compete next week in snowboarding. The Spokesman-Review has written about Holland and his successes in the past, but reporter Allyson Burger promises to shed light on his latest quest for gold.

So, here's a sampling of their work:

 Burger wrote a fascinating piece on the special speed skating uniforms that made their Olympic debut this week.

 Peter Loomis' video takes a look at the security presence.

 Hayli Goode focused on a first-time medal winner and the personal sacrifices required to compete.

 Photographers Rebekah Floyd and Taylor Irby captured some images of their colleagues en route to the games.

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