Participants pose for a picture during an event to start a 1,000-day countdown to the opening of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in front of the Countdown Clock in Sochi, May 14, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - The Russian authorities on Saturday started a 1,000-day countdown clock in the country's Black Sea city of Sochi for the opening of the Winter Olympic Games due on February 7, 2014, according to local media.

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The mountain-shaped clock, 4.15-meter high and 4.408-meter wide, reflects the dynamic spirit of the Sochi region, said the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee.

According to Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov, the start of the clock marked the moment when "we have really entering the finishing line in the preparation for the Olympics."

Meanwhile, the mayor also admitted that much work still remained to be carried out, saying "time has already passed. We must not slow down - only move forward."

Also on Saturday, some thousands of Russian people all over the country have participated in events that marked the 1,000-day countdown of the Sochi Olympic.

To mark the 1,000-day countdown of the start of Games is a traditional event for Olympic Organizing Committees.