So, the Sochi winter olympics are already turning into an absolute disaster.

[Ganerumo]

Journalists have decided to show up at Sochi early on to get their bearings and such.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-05/journalists-arriving-at-sochi-ready-or-not/5240326

Nothing is finished, the hotels and facilities are already falling apart and faucets are pouring out piss-colored water.

This is going to be hilarious.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

I remember hearing that putin was trying to amp up a anti-homosexual agenda and that the mayor of this fine city declared sochi to be 100% devoid of gay people.

I am starting to doubt their conviction to this stated agenda.

 

[Kenico]

That last pic is the most disturbing thing i have ever seen.

I don't mean to be crude when i say this but it would appear they are trying to introduce a new sport: Biggest Poop...and apparently the seats (aside from the obvious ivory) are for the Judges.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

That last pic is the most disturbing thing i have ever seen.

I don't mean to be crude when i say this but it would appear they are trying to introduce a new sport: Biggest Poop...and apparently the seats (aside from the obvious ivory) are for the Judges.

Well, guess putin's got one event locked in the bag then.

 

[Endling vas Precious]

They're slaughtering hundreds of stray dogs so they don't 'bother' guests during the Olympics.

I'm not even going to bother watching these games. It's going to be a shit show and I do not support the homophobia.

 

[Blaxican]

Can someone explain to me why Russia is even being allowed to host the games?

"Don't allow an event that symbolizes international tolerance, cooperation and equality to be hosted by countries that actively shit on on its own peoples' most basic rights" seems like common sense.

Then again, I suppose that if you were to ask that question, you'd also have to ask why we're bros4life with Saudi Arabia.

 

[Kiro]

Because the world at large still can't risk provoking the snoozing bear that is Russia by shouting at it and denying it it's treats.

 

[Kaeb]

The people behind the Olympics are arguing that the rest of the world is trying to "politicise the games on the backs of it's athletes" or some other nonsensical bullshit.

 

[Green Ranger]

tl;dr Putin used his influence to get the Olympics for Russia, and the IOC are too spineless to uphold their own rules and conditions of the event. Principle 6 has been way too conveniently overlooked.

Though, I do take some solace in the fact that the Russians haven't learned anything about quality since the Soviet years when they were building cars out of cotton and leather. Sochi's supposed to become the center for a major resort development and tourist destination after the Winter Olympics, but by the state of things we'll be lucky if the buildings don't blow over in a light breeze.

 

[Livgardist]

God, I hate that country...

Also, Putin sucks.

 

[Ganerumo]

Can someone explain to me why Russia is even being allowed to host the games?

To be fairly honest the problem isn't even about the homophobia and such. The laws crippling gay rights all over the country were voted way after the country was nominated.

The one thing that should have been a good giveaway that this was a terrible idea though, is Russia's deeply corrupted system. The Sochi olympics are somehow the most expensive olympics we've ever had so far, with a budget set at more than 51 billion dollars, but everything is insanely cheap, badly built and/or straight-up unfinished, which shows very well that most of that money went straight into the pockets of some greedy bureaucrats.

The Beijing games, despite being set in a country that isn't exactly the harbinger of human rights, was still by all means an impressive and enjoyable event. The Sochi olympics look like they are going to be deeply unpleasant on many levels, especially considering the fact Sochi wasn't exactly a safe and stable region to begin with.

 

[Green Ranger]

Factoring in inflation, the cost difference between Beijing and Sochi is only about $1.2 billion. But the points regarding quality are still valid, I just wanted to point out that the difference isn't quite as drastic as you'd otherwise believe.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

When did the human rights clause get added? If it was always there, then I have to say it was always ignored given the footage of athletes competing in front of big glaring swastikas.

If it was post was then I am mistaken about assuming money was all that was needed to win the bid for the Olympics and all the other requirements weren't all that important.

 

[Phil]

Never watched the Olympics, never had an interest, that's not changing any time soon.

The slaughtering of animals for such selfish reasons is revolting.

 

[Vulpes]

Between their treatment of stray dogs, homosexuals, and ethnic minorities like chechens, I have virtually no respect to bother watching this event.

Russia seems like an interesting place, just their social and foreign politics are utterly horrifying.

 

[Bee]

It seems like this is turning into a Fallout game:

 

[Ganerumo]

Between their treatment of stray dogs, homosexuals, and ethnic minorities like chechens, I have virtually no respect to bother watching this event.

Russia seems like an interesting place, just their social and foreign politics are utterly horrifying.

Not to mention that it's very common for workers not simply not get paid at all (which is one of the reasons construction is so shoddy). If they complain, they usually get fired or beaten up really badly.

A while ago a worker in Sochi complained about not getting paid as much as he was promised and as a result he got tortured by the police and sodomized with a crowbar.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Yeah this whole thing is quickly turning into a international freak show. Wouldn't be surprised if half the competitors drop out.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Yeah this whole thing is quickly turning into a international freak show. Wouldn't be surprised if half the competitors drop out.

No way. These people train their entire lives to go to the Olympics.

 

[Blaxican]

A while ago a worker in Sochi complained about not getting paid as much as he was promised and as a result he got tortured by the police and sodomized with a crowbar.

Jesus.