With Sochi, Russia, being designated this week as the host city of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Sochi.info has been put up for sale by its current owner, Nikolay Odintsov, who registered the domain name in December 2004, in the Krasnodar Territory of Russia. Odintsov claims that he has had the domain valued at 15 million roubles (US$587,617).

Two potential buyers are interested in the domain name. Odintsov said, "The first buyer is ready to pay $500,000 for the domain, the second 5 million roubles, or $195,872."

Mikhail Gurevich, RBC Director General Deputy, argues that the Domain Name is worth considerably less than the 15 million roubles that Odintsov is demanding. He argued, "First of all, the life of the domain is restricted. It is not one of those domains which are always of current importance as, for example, cars.com. Secondly, Sochi Olympic Games domains do not operate worldwide. They are not of current importance abroad and will only acquire any major significance in 7 years". According to Mr. Gurevich, the domain price should be more like 1.5 million roubles at most. He also said that "It is not reasonable to buy the domain seven years in advance. Who knows what might happen to the domain industry during that period of time?"

Sochi.info is not the only domain for sale which is related to the 2014 Olympic Games: s2014.com, sochi-olimpiada.com, sochi.ws and others are also up for grabs. Fifty or so Sochi-related Domain Names are currently registered, and it is to be expected that most of these will crop up on the domain aftermarket over the next few years.