(29 Oct 2013)
The U.S. Olympic team started the countdown to Sochi Tuesday (Oct. 29) in New York.
A small ski slope and ice rink were added to the heart of Times Square to mark 100 days till the Winter Olympics.
Olympic Alpine Skiing gold medalist, Ted Ligety, was at the event and said he doesn't have much time off before the opening ceremonies.
"I'm gonna be training and competing. We have World Cups basically every weekend right up until the last week before we go to the Olympics so you know World Cup, World Cup, World Cup," said Ligety.
A group of gay rights advocates protested the event, calling on the athletes to boycott the games because of Russia's treatment of gay and lesbians.
"We're here today to try and speak directly to the athletes, to tell them that they must not to Sochi and be silent in the face of the treatment of Gays and Lesbians in Russia," said protester Mark Milano.
Olympic hopeful and reigning Slopestyle World Champion, Tom Wallisch, says he can't even really imagine what the opening ceremony will be like.
"It's hard to envision the opening ceremonies. I mean anything like that is so different from anything we have in our sport and I don't think I'll know or feel it until I'm there and I'm sure it will be overwhelming. I sounds like an amazing amazing experience," said Wallisch.
The Sochi Opening Ceremony will be on February 7th.
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