A year after the Sochi Olympics, the flags of the competing nations continue to flutter in the breeze rolling in from the Black Sea, and oversize cuddly mascots still roam the vast expanse of the Olympic Park’s central plaza, the heart of Russia’s monumental Olympic effort.

Common to the postscript of every Olympics, and especially these Games — the most expensive in history and the focus of new questions over who will ultimately cover their immense costs — is the difficult task of moving beyond past glories and finding new sports challenges.

Sochi’s most obvious innovation is a Formula One track that now meanders through the Olympic site. In October, it hosted Russia’s first Grand Prix, won by the world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Olympic Park is changing in other ways, too. A tennis academy has been established in Adler Arena, where speedskaters once raced — though the ice can be restored in little more than a week when needed. And the Fisht stadium, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, is being renovated for Russia’s next grand parade on the world’s sports stage, the 2018 World Cup.