He visits a Russian farm to look at the country's ambitions to be an agricultural superpower, checks out the Star City astronaut training center, meets with seven-foot boxing world champion-turned-movie star Nikolai Valuev and talks along the way with entrepreneurs and environmentalists working to make the city of Sochi home to green Olympics in 2014.

CNN: Eye on Russia: Opportunity and Influence

In 2009, the lime green View Tube started serving cafe fare on a hill overlooking the site of the 2012 Olympics in London.

BBC: Restaurants get in ship shape

Ma sees a unique opportunity this year in drawing more attention to his cause as the government emphasizes environmental protection in keeping its promise to hold a "Green Olympics" in Beijing.

CNN: Fighting the desert one tree at a time

Every four years, when the Olympics roll around, our national colors -- that gaudy mix of green and gold -- will start creeping into the dress sense of even the normally fashion-conscious.

CNN: Australia prepares to 'give it a go'