Troubles in Sochi
Vladimir Putin’s bid for historic significance by hosting
this year’s Olympics in Russia is plagued by problems in the present. These
problems include protests, super stars bowing out of the event, stray dogs and
facilities that are not prepared. Overall the current perspective of the event
may overshadow the legacy Putin wanted to be remembered for. These Olympics and
Putin may be remembered, but not necessarily the way intended.
Russia has been exposed to pressure from many groups since
last summer’s parliamentary law was passed against gay propaganda. Some of this pressure includes videos from
human rights groups exposing terrible homophobic violence in Russia. Under
pressure from the media and groups worldwide, Putin has stated that gay people
can feel safe and free while visiting Russia.
This did little to ease worry for many visitors, but this is
just one of many problems for Sochi. In January, one of America’s big Olympic
stars (Lyndsey Vonn) bowed out due to a previous knee injury. Despite constant
therapy and training, she announced that she would not be at a competition
level for Sochi. Lyndsey is loved by the media in the U.S. and there is no
doubt that her withdrawal will put a dent in viewership. To add insult to
injury, another media star bowed out today. Shaun White who is known for his
prowess on the snowboard half pipe bowed out of the more complicated slope
style event because of difficulty, and although there is a frenzy in the Twitterverse
with fellow snowboards Sebastien Toutant and Max Parrot, this will not help
media coverage when the event comes around.
As journalists, arrive to cover the event, they are less
concerned about the large stray dog population that has been reported because they
are finding hotels that are not prepared for them. With varying problems from
rooms that are not prepared, to non potable water, toilets that don’t flush and
the list goes on. If the living
situation does improve in Sochi over the next few days, the stray dogs
shouldn’t be a problem as they have been poisoned and left to die in the
streets. Coverage of the nastiness of Sochi is currently more consistent than
any good news from there.
When history looks back at the Sochi Olympics, it won’t remember
Shaun White’s first slope style medal, nor will it recall another victory for
Lyndsey Vonn. Let’s hope that the remaining athletes can carry the weight so
that we remember a great sporting event not unprepared hotel rooms, dead dogs
in the street, and homophobia.
