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As this year’s winter Olympics get officially underway from February 7 in Sochi, there are increased public fears and apprehensions concerning the shortcomings of the event. Unfinished construction work, scarcity of accommodation and lodging, inadequate security, it seems like everything is in chaos at the moment. And people all over the world are not happy with it. Even the torch-bearing antics of tennis icon Maria Sharapova in the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics were unable to cover up the inadequacies in planning and organizing of the event in the Russian city of Sochi.
“CNN booked 11 rooms in one @Sochi2014 media hotel five months ago. We have been here for a day and only one room is available. #cnnsochi” – Harry Reekie
This is the one hotel room @Sochi2014 have given us so far. Shambles. #cnnsochi pic.twitter.com/RTjEkmyan3
— Harry Reekie (@HarryCNN) February 4, 2014
There are a multitude of fallacies being pointed out in hosting and management of the event by the Russian administration. Numerous researches and online survey have been conducted to determine why Sochi was not a good choice to hold the Winter Olympics.
Let us look at the top 5 concerns that are causing fear and apprehension in the minds of the spectators in common.
Perhaps one of the biggest concerns for participants and spectators alike is the security concern. With the memories of Boston marathon bombing still afresh in the minds of the people, the need for tough security and stringent measures to ensure that both players and viewers are safeguarded from any untoward attack is critical.
Moreover just recently, CNN reported that the US Homeland Security has advised all direct flights to Russia to look out for a possible toothpaste bomb, explosive materials hidden inside cosmetic tubes. While the US and Russian governments are still at loggerheads, people have started to fear that hosting the event in Sochi wasn’t such a good idea.
construction work was underway outside the Gorki Plaza East hotel in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. Considering that this is the transportation and housing hub for scores of visitors it was still incomplete. Even though the organizers hold the recent weather conditions responsible, let’s not forget that Sochi was selected as the host city back in 2007, which means they had 7 years to plan.
Sochi hotel not quite finished, & has no record of my reservation. I'll go to the bar while they try to sort it. Oh. pic.twitter.com/HQjAm4UMHY
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) February 4, 2014
As already evident from the tweet shown earlier by CNN’s Harry Reekie, the Sochi administration has also failed to manage accommodation and lodging of visitors and spectators. Hotels are out of rooms even though many people had reservations. For instance, one Shaun Walker tweeted that the hotel he had made reservations in had no record whatsoever.
To anyone in Sochi: I am now in possession of three light bulbs. Will trade for a door handle. This offer is real: pic.twitter.com/7AeesqDi8Y
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 4, 2014
As if not getting a hotel accommodation wasn’t enough, people who have managed to get hotel rooms are complaining of inadequate facilities being provided. These include lack of clean drinking water, sanitization equipment and even the absence of door knobs. One of the visitors staying in Sochi hotel, Dan Wetzel tweeted ironically that he is willing to trade 3 light bulbs in exchange for a door handle.
Believe it or not, but many people see the current Russian regime as a show stopper for Sochi Olympics, at least in the US. In a recent survey conducted by PEW research center, 58% Americans have negative views about Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moreover, the ongoing political unrest with Ukraine is another serious threat to the peaceful completion of the Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi.
February 23rd, 2014 – Closing Ceremony, The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics
The most expensive Winter Olympics in the history has finally dragged itself to an end with a closing that openly mocked the, “non-opening” of the opening ceremony rings.
Yes, hundreds of dancers were choreographed to perform to a Boney M. track. They were to form the Olympic rings at the closing ceremony with the fifth and final ring failing to open – yet again! Only this time around, this failure was ingeniously planned to mock the opening ceremony fail.
Bunny, and bear, and leopard! Oh, my! #WeAreWinter #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/dFI5i7akaD
— CDN Olympic Team (@CDNOlympicTeam) February 23, 2014
In the latter part of the ceremony, the giant mascot bear rolls down a tear as the flame goes out and the cauldron outside is extinguished. The Sochi Winter journey, hence, officially ends. And, so do all the #sochiproblems…
Considering that Russian city of Sochi has badly failed to live up to its expectations in properly and successfully hosting this year’s Winter Olympics, which other venues do you think would have been a better option. Have your say in the comments below!
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Kelvin Stiles is a tech enthusiast and works as a marketing consultant at SurveyCrest – FREE online survey software and publishing tools for academic and business use. He is also an avid blogger and a comic book fanatic.
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