Northeast Indiana gold medalists react to Sochi

Lloy Ball (left) won a gold medal in 2008 with the U.S. volleyball team. Sharon Wichman-Jones (right) won gold and bronze medals in swimming in 1968.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) As the Winter Games get underway in Sochi, Russia, two gold medalists in northeast Indiana share their thoughts and memories of the Olympics.

Lloy Ball has gone to four Olympics with the U.S. volleyball team and they took home the gold in 2008. As people from around the world now gather in Sochi, complaints about accommodations have been common.

Ican tell you first-hand , its never great. Its never the Hilton when you go to the Olympics, Ball said.

He said it also isnt uncommon for some facilities to be not quite finished.

When we walked into Olympic Village in Athens, they were still rolling out the sod. The grass wasnt all in yet. Our bathrooms were not done. We had to share a shower for a week until they got it ready, Ball said.

Ball also lived and played in Russia for six years. He was happy to see Sochi get the games.

This is a chance for Russia to showcase being able to hold a big event, he said. Ishook Mr. Putins hand and he wouldnt put the Olympics in Sochi if he didnt think he could protect our athletes and his own athletes.

Heighten security and growing safety concerns have been making headlines leading up to the games.

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Northeast Indiana gold medalists react to Sochi