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Many have questioned whether Russia was truly ready to host the Olympics. In fact, according to a PewResearch poll, within the US 44% expressed that they thought it was a poor decision (32% thought it was a good one, and 24% did not know).
Disregarding the countless unprepared hotel rooms and facilities, the primary reason for concern has been threats to security. Worries have only increased with the United States’ warning to airlines hosting flights to Russia. These warnings stated that terrorists may try to smuggle explosive substances in toothpaste and cosmetic tubes. According to a CNN poll, 57% believe that a terrorism attack on the games is likely.
Luckily, it seems Russia has increased security substantially. Tens of thousands of police and troops have been dispatched to protect the area around the Games. Additionally, the US has sent two warships in the off chance there is an emergency.
Additional concerns include the controversy surrounding gay rights activists in Russia, especially because of recent local crackdowns on such protesters of Putin’s anti-gay laws. It seems that the rest of the world is joining in with these protestors, however; many have stated their intentions to boycott the Olympics, and Google itself released a self-explanatory homepage.
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What do you think? So far the Olympics have gone smoothly, but is there reason for concern? Should political debates have any effect on attendance of the Games?
4 comments:
If Russia is unprepared to host the Olympics, it is probably too late since the Olympics have started. There is probably legitimate reason for concern with the Olympic games being in Russia, but it is hard to know how much of the American unhappiness with the games being in Russia is due to vestigial Cold War antipathy.
The Olympics have been political before. For instance, South Africa was not allowed to participate in the Olympics during apartheid.
I see some parallels as well to the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, which were partly used as an excuse to promote Nazism. I don't mean to unfairly compare Russia to Nazism, but this is not the first time the Olympics have been held in a country with some unpalatable politics. Is this right? I don't know. But it isn't new.
Of course political debates should have an effect on attendance of the Olympic Games. When these political debates have an affect on human rights especially. Remember the 2008 Olympics? Free Tibet. Like Brianne said, the Olympic games are used to being political. As for the fear of terrorism, I don't blame anyone for being scared of terrorism during these games. The Munich Massacre has left a cloud over the Olympics that was reiterated in Atlanta in 1996. These events happened before most of us were born, so we can't really understand the fear that some people are facing during the Sochi games. And Russia isn't really the Cheech to our Chong either.
I think that at any major world-wide event there will always be some kind of opposition due to so many different opinions on so many controversial issues. In an ideal world, I do not think that political debates should not have an effect on the Olympics unless s group of people is hurt or threatened to due opposite opinions. I like to think of the Olympics as a way of bringing the world together. Obviously, it does not always work out so smoothly, but overall the Olympics should not have too many political influences because it will take away from the excitement and unity of the games itself.
I think especially because we live in the United States who somewhat recently went head to head against the then Soviet Union, so the feeling of apprehension could be instilled among some of us. but I think it is still fair to say that there is a security concern but it is being handled fairly by the Russian government with assistance from other countries like the United States sending two warships.
Attendance has been an issue due to some political debates for sure and possible security concerns. but I believe also because of the location of Sochi which has a population just under 350k which is no London. It costs a lot to travel to that area also. Apparently 80% of tickets have been sold compared to the sold out London olympics (said it could of been "sold out tens times over).
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/08/winter-games-figure-skating-snowboarding-attendance-fans-ashley-wagner/5316883/ this is what I read
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