And also some of the most heavily defended. And for those americans lucky enough to have tickets here, those who have decided to brave it and make the trip. And now there is Something Else to worry about, the tsa is now banning flights on u. S. Air carriers that are enroute here, and like so many post9 11 scares, this is based on a apparently vague information, but it was another scare that these games did not need. It is where we begin tonight with our chief foreign correspondent, richard engel, here with us in sochi, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian, this is another bold news from the u. S. , and look at the timing. Issuing the restrictions right on the eve of the olympics as the threat of terrorism is continuing to overshadow the buildup to sochi, the news travels today, today, they posted a ban on gels, liquid, and aerosols to any flights to the u. S. From the u. S. To russia. Prescription medications will be allowed. This, after a warning about terrorist chatter to use toothpaste tubes to smuggle a bomb. Just an official plot, intelligence officials say. The report came from a european source and was passed on. President obama today told nbcs bob costas that the u. S. And russia are cooperating closely. I think the russians have an enormous stake, obviously, in preventing any type of terrorist act or violence at these venues, and they have put a lot of resources into it. Were in constant communications with them. Both at the Law Enforcement level, at the military level. At the intelligence levels. Reporter a message of support from the president. But russia has had a tough time rolling out these olympics. With terrorist threats, reports of corruption, construction delays, and the odd hue of some hotel tap water going viral on the internet. It has been an embarrassment for president putin who has staked his reputation as a politician and sports aficionado on sochis success, and russia is not taking the criticism well, claiming its olympic image is being deliberately attacked by journalists. And the deputy Prime Minister today said in the wall street journal, we can prove it. We have Surveillance Video from the hotels that shows people turn on the shower, direct the nozzle at the wall and leave the room for the whole day. The government later said that hotel rooms are not under surveillance. But it is not only reporters saying sochi is not the dream city russia claims. Several Security Guards complained about Living Conditions and not being paid. And the ones we have spoken to are protecting the athlete village. Reporter this Security Guard took us to the trailer park where he is living near the olympic venues. Six men to a room, nicolai said he has only been paid a fraction of his salary. When he started to ask questions he claims he was fired. Other guards who did not want to talk on camera had similar complaints and said they would like to quit. Nicolais employer, angel security, did not respond to an email from nbc news. Unhappy guards, not the best sign on the eve of the Opening Ceremony with 40 World Leaders expected to attend. Russia continues to insist it has the threat of terrorism under control and that it keeps treats all of its workers involved in the olympics well. Richard engel, starting off our reporting tonight, thank you, and our own Pete Williams who covers the Homeland Security for us has been looking into the new tsa travel restrictions. He is in our Washington News room with that story, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian, the temporary ban on gels, liquids or powders has not been based on any new threat or new intelligence, it is the followon to yesterdays warning about the toothpaste and the gels smuggled on planes applies only to the small number of flights from the u. S. To russia. There is one delta flight to new york, a few others from new york and los angeles, and a charter from washington, d. C. But it does not apply to any flights inside the u. S. Or to the u. S. From other countries, and that is because it is based on intelligence that dealt only with flights into russia. So most people here will not even notice this new rule. The restriction on what could be carried on board the flights from the u. S. To russia will last for 30 days. And then next month after the olympics are over the tsa will determine whether to extend or discontinue it, brian. All right, Pete Williams, thank you with the latest on this story. And back here, the security over the Olympic Games actually got under way here today. Qualification rounds in the bright sunshine as the world started to focus on these Olympic Games. Anne thompson is up at the nearby Alpine Center above us in the mountains over sochi. Anne, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian, it was a day of firsts. The first competitions in the mountains. The first olympic snowboard slope style runs, and the first time americans have competed at an olympics in russia. The 22nd Winter Olympics took off at the extreme park where the equally extreme fans watched the snowboard slope style qualifications for men and women. One of the competitors, 19yearold carly shore from millford, michigan, seeing her mom, mo, for the First Time Since making the olympic team. I love you. I love you more. Reporter her challenge . The controversial course altered earlier in the week after some athletes complained it was dangerous. A series of rails and jumps to take her moms breath away. When she flies over those jumps, what happens to your heart . Im good now. It took me a while but im okay. Reporter in the sparks of the enthusiastic crowd, this olympic volunteer is a long way from her home in boaz, wisconsin. Just with the people arriving it is amazing. Reporter the womens down hill course proved to be amazing. The final jump including the american lin ross so high, the officials stopped the practice to make it less dangerous. It was incredibly dangerous but probably a good decision to shave it down a little bit. Reporter as for carly shore, her face held the story, a good first run until a fall on the last jump. The second run . Success. And one more note from the mountain, five time olympic medallist bode miller posted the famous training run in the mens down hill today, the medal race takes place sunday. Brian . It does feel like it is ready to start. Anne thompson, part of our Coverage Team in sochi, above sochi tonight. Back in the u. S. Tonight, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are still in the dark, and the cold for another night without power after another brutal winter storm. And there is word that for some of them there may be several more days and nights of this. Nbcs rehema ellis has more, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian, take a look at this tree now horizontal and scraping up against the house behind me. This is what a powerful storm can do in a community. Trees and electrical lines snapped under the heavy snow leaving hundreds of thousands to wonder when will the lights come back on . Much of pennsylvania woke up this morning to buzzing sounds of repair. Roads were blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines cutting off the electricity for more than 800,000 customers at the height of the storm. Donna graham and her two daughters woke up to a very cold house. Did you think, i need to buy a generator . Well, we say that every time the power goes out and we never get one, but now well get one, right . Reporter this family spent the night close to the fireplace in their den, she slept on the couch, he slept on the recliner. This is your central heating right now . Yes. Reporter like this family there are still more than 400,000 without power, with parts of the state declaring a disaster emergency. It will actually be a third more people than were here during hurricane sandy. Reporter some 3500 workers have come from as far away as arkansas to help repair the lines. But first, they have to remove the downed trees. This really goes on record as the second worst storm in our Company History and the worst winter storm that weve experienced. Reporter across much of the northeast, the winter continues its icy grip. It does look like winter is hanging in there. Temperatures remain colder than average for a huge portion of the country. And next week, there could be another storm. And no matter how big or small it is, it is likely to be a pain for millions of people. Reporter back in pennsylvania, the pedigrees, who have lived here for more than 40 years are keeping a bright outlook, despite what may be a cold, dark night ahead. What else do you do . You weather the storm. You weather the storm, yes. Reporter the Pennsylvania Power Company says it hopes to have Service Restored to many customers by tomorrow night. But because of the extent of the damage here it may say that the repairs could go on through the weekend. Brian . And we will be thinking about those folks tonight, rehema ellis in burwyn, pennsylvania, today. There was officially less than an inch of snow in parts of texas today but in dallas metro, it did a lot of damage, despite travel warnings there were hundreds of minor accidents and dozens of injuries, including scenes like this. Some schools were closed and the temperature never got above freezing. And in western oregon today, over 20 vehicles were involved in a big pileup on interstate five after snow moved into that region. Very quickly, there were big delays and some minor injuries were reported. There are twin environmental disasters to update you on in the u. S. Tonight. First, the ongoing trouble in West Virginia following the chemical spill. In charleston, several schools have closed and there are new questions about water quality. Children have reported a Burning Sensation in their eyes and nasal passages. The chemical smell is still present in the water but the government maintains the water does not pose a health risk. Another environmental tragedy in North Carolina after what can your fidelity green line do for you . Just take a closer look. It works how you want to work on your own. Or with a Fidelity Investment professional, helping you find new ways to plan for retirement and save on taxes where you can so you can invest in the life that you want today. 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