Joel Samuels, professor of law, is an authority on sports law, international law and Russia and Russian law. He has spent time in and around Sochi, where the Olympics will be taking place and in the north Caucasus region where much of the neighboring unrest is centered. His knowledge of sports law allows him to discuss legal issues and scandals that can arise during Olympic competition. Professor Samuels also has experience coaching athletics teams and as serving as a sports announcer. He attended the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona as an English-speaking consultant to the Russian delegation and has attended the Olympics in 1996 and 2004.