The 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi

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What will 51 billion dollars buy you in a Black Sea subtropical resort this weekend? So far, not much. This Monday, it has been reported that Russia has spent 51 billion dollars to prepare for the 2014 Winter Olympics. According to a number of economists, this new estimate is more than double the cost of the 2012 games in London and the 2010 games in Vancouver combined. The news surrounding the games describes its outrageous costs, security issues, and lack of preparation for the opening ceremony; however, very few people have yet to criticize the many disadvantages of holding the Games in Sochi. The Olympic games will not benefit the Sochi region in any way, because of the limited scope of coverage that will not address any of the political, cultural, religious, ethnic, or economic troubles Sochi and its people face.
Russia has been preparing Sochi since its announcement in 2007 at the International Olympic Committee in Guatemala, culminating to its opening ceremony. A 9.1 billion dollar road spanning 18 miles between the venues that host hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and the mountain sports connects the three venues. In discussions of building the stadiums, one controversial issue has been the manpower needed for this construction. The poor direction and communication between the Olympic Committee and the construction companies have left many native people with empty pockets, only for the laborers to discover the stuffed pockets of the Russian Olympic Committee. When it comes to the topic of exploiting workers, most of us will readily agree that it is unjust to withhold payment that was rightfully earned. Some are convinced that the tremendous amount of hours needed to build to the Sochi region for the Olympics is nec...

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...re athleticism and nationalism. Indeed, the host city of Sochi is a stage for the Games; however, at what expense? These critics seem to ignore that Sochi is not a flourishing nation, and any added political, cultural, and economic pressure that the Olympics brings on the nation is not the solution, nor is turning a blind eye to Sochi’s state as a crumbling region currently being held together by the threads of the Olympics.
Ultimately what is at stake is the health of Russia as a nation. This issue matters because it is not right to allow the 2014 Winter Olympics define Sochi. To the world, Russia will be recorded in history as the host of the 2014 Games, but to the people of Sochi, they will be a nation of political and economic conflict. What is sad is that in just a few short months, the bright lights and crowds will leave, but the problems of Sochi will stay.

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