From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Politics in first place at the Sochi Olympics.

I'm Barbara Bogame, sitting in from Warren Olney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

With just about six weeks until the Olympic Games begin in Sochi, Russia,

the city suffers frequent power outages, a major venue lies unfinished,

corruption plagues the whole project,

and weather forecasters are predicting a warmer-than-usual winter.

Logistics aside, the run-up to these games has been dominated by politics.

International outrage over Russia's new anti-gay laws.

Also concerns about terrorism from Islamic separatists.

With all of this, how will sports take center stage?

Also, on today's talking point, a new poll finds that Americans think today's Congress

is the worst ever. First,

the news. Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel, stream BBC World Service, NPR and KCRW programs,

continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.com.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International

Program Fund.

And we're back with To the Point. I'm Barbara Bogave in for Warren only.

Just ahead we'll look at how the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia are shaping up despite

construction delays,

reports of unprecedented corruption, and the political controversy over Russia's stance on gay rights.

...