Putin has unleashed the unparalleled spending to try to transform Sochi into a year - round destination .
Sochi is a fading resort city 1,000 miles south of Moscow with pebble beaches and mountain views .
Putin has unleashed the unparalleled spending to try to transform Sochi , a fading resort city 1,000 miles south of Moscow with pebble beaches and mountain views , into a year - round destination .