Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Russia wins 2014 Olympic Games

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 1:26 AM EDT 06/07/07

Black Sea resort of Sochi will host country's first ever Winter Olympics ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Tim Rutkevich from Canada writes: The current joke from Russia: Vladimir Putin issued statement to all countries buying natural gas from Russia. "If you vote against Sochi, we close the pipe lines supplying natural gas to you." I guess it worked.
  2. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: The IOC demonstrates, yet again, astoundingly poor judgement. First they gleefully ignore the serious environmental opposition to the Sochi site expressed by Greenpeace and others warning about the disastrous effects of the construction of the facilities and infrastructure required for the games threaten the destruction of the unique natural landscapes of the West Caucasus, including the territories inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List (http://www.greenpeace.org/russia/en/press/releases/olimpic-games-at-the-cost-of-w) . Further, the IOC pretends the dangerous political situation a short drive away on the border with Georgia, brewed by the Kremlin, doesn't exist. It is appalling that the Kremlin's continued support for the break-away Georgian territories of South Ossetia (and the ethnic-cleansing supported by the Kremlin there) as well as Abkhazia, only a short drive from the proposed Olympic site, has been blessed by the IOC. The secessionist situation in the neighbouring Georgian territories, orchestrated and supported by the Kremlin through mass-media, financing, covert activities and logistical as well as direct military support, is the source of considerable conflict between Russia on one side and Georgia, the EU and the UN and the other. An emergency conference to discuss the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) convened after President Putin called on all NATO countries to ratify the treaty, forming the basis for collective security in post-Cold War Europe, ended June 15 in deadlock. For NATO, the outstanding issue is the continued presence of Russian troops in Georgia (and Moldova). NATO members have said they will ratify their end of the CFE only if Russia removes its troops from Georgia and from Moldova, and agrees that a NATO international peacekeeping force should replace them. Perhaps we should never expect much more from these Olympic "sports bureaucrats" selected by the world's powerful and wealthy elites.
  3. Alboin von Friaul from Victoria, BC, Canada writes: I'm shocked that Russia, like Canada stereotyped as a "cold" northern country, has never hosted a winter Olympics before.
  4. Bobby Williams from Victoria, Canada writes: Does anybody know what a country like Russia could do with $12B?

    When the world is in such a chaotic state and many of Russia's people live in dire poverty, the Russian Government finds $12B to blow on stupid Olympics?

    I am so fu%$#@& angry right now!
  5. maluxa . from Canada writes: About time Russia won it. Probably the only country that has done so much for winter sports without hosting a winter olympics.
  6. Kevin Dooley from Canada writes: I will never understand why people clamour for the honour of going into debt hosting the Olympics. The sports are great, and I wish they'd give us continuous live streaming video from every venue for the entire duration of the event, but the politics and the economics of the event are crazy.
  7. Unshaven One from Moncton, Canada writes: What a joke. Is this Bush's buyout of Putin so he will let the missle deal go through without too much crap. The long slimy tentacles of the white house thugs goes pretty far. Russia should not have the Olympics, the same as China. Both commie countries and this only bloats their repressive government's coffers. Yes, Russia is now back to a corrupt iron fisted regime of Putin style KGB government. I hope Beijing and whatever city in Russia gets it both lose their shirts with the games they get.
  8. Kevin Dooley from Canada writes: I think it's rather unlikely that somebody as canny as Putin would give up on the missile defense issue in exchange for the Olympics. I also think it's rather unlikely that a multinational organization like the IOC would be swayed to offer such a deal - the US has been opposed to decisions about where to hold the games in the past and has never gotten anywhere. I'm not saying that the IOC is without taint or corruption - Salt Lake City proved that to be untrue, but this particular type of taint seems highly unlikely.
  9. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: "Russia" did not win. Putin and his kleptocrats in the Kremlin "won."

    And what are the chances that the Olympic celebratrions will make it clear that Sochi and the surrounding area are in fact former-Georgian territory, annexed, by force of arms to the Tsarist empire only a century or two ago? Ah, the beauty, intelligence and morality of the IOC.
  10. maluxa . from Canada writes: V. Tatlin: yawn. Hard as it may be for you to believe, the petty Georgian grievances against Russia are not the most important factor of the IOC decision-making. And the one about Sochi being ex-Georgian territory is simply bizzare.
  11. Larfing Outloud from Canada writes: Bobby Williams from Victoria: it's not your money so hold on to yourself.
  12. ana nitu from Manchester, United States writes: Right V. Tatlin! Russia should pull its troops out from Georgia and Moldova to make room for NATO (American) troops right? In fact they should pull their troops out from Chechnya and North Ossetia and Ingushetia and Dagestan and Tatarstan and all the other republics, to make room for NATO or American troops. That's what you and others like you would love. Wouldn't it be great to be able to grab all that oil and gas and all the other riches that Russia has and liberate all those peoples from the hands of the Kremlin "kleptocrats"? And then we could take good care of those people as we do in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or Somalia, or Haiti? Wouldn't that be great, eh?!
  13. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: Glib and fatuous comments made by Kremlin cheerleaders serve the readers here and the Russian people poorly. And comments made by those who so easily suffering from narcolepsy deserve no direct reply. However, for those readers interested in Sochi's earlier, including Georgian, history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sochi.

    For those who wish to read about recent ethnic-cleansing in nearby Kremlin-backed break-away Georgian territory of Abkhazia: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04337873.htm

    For those who wish to read about current (March 07) attacks on Georgian villages by Kremlin helicopters: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118350394565557192.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
  14. Bobby Williams from Victoria, Canada writes: Larfing Outloud - believe me it affects us. We give millions to Russia in support already.
  15. Slippery Slope from Canada writes: V. Tatlin from Canada writes: "Russia" did not win. Putin and his kleptocrats in the Kremlin "won."

    V. Tatlin, PROVE to us that Putin or the Kremlin are "kleptocrats". It did when Boris Yeltsin and his oligarchs were in power. Ukraine has kleptocratic leader, Belarus does, and so does Georgia. Russia has worked hard to get rid of the theft culture.
  16. Max Nemo from Ottawa, Canada writes: "Backed by the Russian president's personal lobbying, charisma and government support"
    You forgot to mention his bulling, arm twisting and mafioso like personality. Just ask any Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Estonian or Georgian. They will tell you.
  17. Kevin _ from Canada writes: Bobby Williams - Can you provide citation for your claim that we give millions to Russia? According to the WMF & World Bank the Russian GDP is now 10th in the world. With their current economy booming on energy, much like ours, I'm not sure if cost is quite the factor some would think it is.

    If poverty in Russia is the issue for some, perhaps they should worry more about Canadian poverty first. Do these same people also have an issue with the Vancouver games?

    As far as Sochi being Georgain (V. Tatlin), Sochi has been part of Russia since 1829 following the Russian-Turkish war. B.C. was claimed by the British in the 1790's only 30-40 years earlier. Does Canada have any more right over B.C. as Russia has over Sochi?

    Congratulations Russia!
  18. Slippery Slope from Canada writes: Max Nemo from Ottawa, Canada writes: Just ask any Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Estonian or Georgian. They will tell you.

    Max, What would they tell you? That their welfare states are no longer supported by discounted energy? Russia was subsidizing them and they don't like it now that capitalism is in full swing.
  19. El Kabong from America, United States writes: Among all you socialist/anarchist/nihilist/environmental wackos who object to these games, hands up all who've actually BEEN to Sochi, or Russia for that matter:
    Hmmmmm....not too many hands. Figures. You're all probably among those clowns who are trying to sabotage the Vacover games.

    Congratulations to Sochi and Russia!
  20. Bobby Williams from Victoria, Canada writes: I NEVER said I was against the games. Did I even say those words? Stop spinning things!

    The thing is, if you are going to spend $12B on games that will last a few weeks then you better be willing to spend billions on your own people, which is everyone on here! Like quicker healthcare, easier access to education, security etc etc. I do not work for Greenpeace and I do not wear Birkenstocks, just a regular Canadian.

    Why would anyone be a socialist/anarchist/nihilist/environmental wackos for thinking this way?
  21. Alayne Northern Alberta from Canada writes: They should just STOP the Olympics altogether! It's just a f33k fest for athletes.
  22. f c from Canada writes: Great, with all of the corruption and criminal acttivities(and that's just Putin), I can't wait to see when all of the buildings collapse from faulty supplies and inspector bribes. This country stands for modern day piracy and a leader that wouldn't know the truth if it smacked him upside the head!
  23. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: Some of Putin's cheerleaders herre asked for "proof" with regards to the kleptocracy they have firmly built up. In addition to the earlier posts readers should also consider Transparency International's most current index of corruption that puts the Kremlin's Russia at 121 out of 163, tied with Rwanda and Swaziland, but just beating Burundi and the Central African Republic. Contrary to Putin's cheerleaders, his Russia has slipped almost every year since he and his KGB/FSB and "business" friends came to power (in 2004, their Russia ranked 90, in 2003 - 86, 2002 - 71, 2001 - 79, 2000 & 1999 - 82, 1998 - 76). With effort, perhaps these "leaders" can continue to improve (in 2005 they hit bottom at 126), perhaps even pushing past Gambia, Zambia and Yemen. (In 2006 Finland, Iceland, and New Zealand ranked least corrupt with a ranking of 1; Canada ranked 14; USA ranked 20; the Baltic states ranked in the 20's and 40's; Poland ranked 61;Ukraine ranked 99) http://www.transparency.org/policyresearch/surveysindices/cpi/2006
  24. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: "The tolerance of corruption in the Putin regime is astounding. Recently, for instance, a Swiss court established that Leonid Reiman, Russia's minister of communications and a close friend of Putin's, was the owner of telecommunications assets in Russia worth more than a $1 billion. But this has not been reported in major media in Russia, and Reiman remains at his post without having offered any explanation or apology -- only an implausible blanket denial. How can Putin and his cronies give this up?" Anders Aslund on Putin, Power, and Corruption in Russia - http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2007/02/andersaslundonputinpower_a.htm
  25. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: (For some reason this post, submitted earlier, was not posted)

    Undoubtedly Putin and his gang desperately hope the world sees them as respected democrats and not authoritarian kleptocrats. Certainly the Lobster Summit at the Bush dacha in Maine was supposed to help. However, even a simple Google search with "Putin" and "kleptocracy" or "corruption" will yield many interesting articles and comments to suggest the spin has not stuck. Here's one:

    "Analysts still anxious to give Putin the benefit of their doubts about his autocratic tendencies call his Russia a “corporate state&8221;. This is jargon for a state in which all key business and industrial assets are controlled by a ruling elite accountable to no one but their Harvey Nicks-addicted wives. 'Kleptocracy' is just as accurate." Giles Whitell, 30 Dec 06, Times Online http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/article1264791.ece
  26. B Littmann from Canada writes: Congratulations to Sochi and Russia. V Tatlin, will that be polonium or thallium with your morning tea, Sir?
  27. Newfdog 007 from edmonton AB, Canada writes: this is the 2nd time around the Koreans have been shafted in voting~

    south KOrea is still a developing 3rd world nation yet and skiing on artificial snow just doesnt cut it i guess
  28. maluxa . from Canada writes: Newfdog 007: a bit too harsh on the South Koreans. In fairness, I think for the Olympics they would order real snow. V. Tatlin: congratulations on the Russian victory.
  29. Eric Himmel from TO, Canada writes: V. Tatlin I am surprised you have not quoted us Freedom House democracy rating for Russia. Enough already quoting outfits on CIA and State Department payrolls. Those like you have very few cheerleaders left: Israel, Poland and whatever midget Baltic countries...or yeah I forgot that little cheerleader r amsterdam for that dude who stole the oil company in Russia and tried to buy everyone in parliament from commies to the right wing.
  30. V. Tatlin from Canada writes: Glib and fatuous comments, without substance or back-up, made by Kremlin cheerleaders continue to serve the readers here and the Russian people poorly. Russians deserves better than the current Kremlin and Russia and especially the West Caucasus region deserve a better bid than Sochi in 2014.
  31. maluxa . from Canada writes: Bobby Williams: by your logic, only 1 or 2 richest countries in the world would ever be justified in staging Olympic games (since you could always spend the $$ on welfare, etc.). The fact is, any Olympics is a huge shot in the arm for the host country economically, which feeds local development for years. Besides, given Russia's size and current coffers, $12B is really not that much to make a difference.
  32. Jan Triska from GatineauOttawa, Canada writes: Excellent! Russia is the only major winter sports power to not have yet hosted the winter Olympics. It's about time they've been awarded the honor. Sochi and the surrounding area and the Caucasus mountains are an amazing area, too, with quite the history of winter sport. A bit like the Alps, only closer to a palm-lined seashore. We in Canada tend to forget that, often thinking that it's only North America and northern Europe which have conditions for winter sport. Furthermore, I'd like to express my bewilderment at the various posters here who allege intrigue and all kinds of dirty tricks by Russia, Putin in particular. You people just can't seem to get it through your heads that not everything in the world is governed by geopolitics and corruption...some decisions are simply made because of good planning and lobbying. The fact the Putin, a democratically elected head of his country, goes around and turns on the charm (and speaks English and French which the likes of you probably didn't think he spoke), that's not threatening...that's awesome. All the power to him. It also helps that he is a sports enthusiast and knows what this means for Russia's image. I wish that our heads of state, from Chretien through Martin to Harper, supported our sports establishment and athletes like Putin does. For instance, it would be nice to have the Prime Minister in the stands for the FIFA Under-20 soccer championships, eh?
  33. masca raded from ottawa, Canada writes: the bulk of these $12B will end up in pockets of putin himself, sochi's mayor and their relatives & friends through contractiong and subcontracting.

    They will also become the principal shareholders of all the hotels, toll roads and alpine sky centers, which will secure their cash flows for a couple of generations to come.

    That's the main reason why russian delegation was so happy yesterday.
  34. E Z from GTA, Canada writes: Congrats to Sochi!!!

    Russian government will spend $8 bln and private investors remaining $4 bln to build world class infrastructure. As it is right now, Sochi was not modernized since 70-s and badly needs cash to rebuild airport, roads and alpine resorts. Everything will be build from scratch and used to train future generations of world class athletes in Russia.
    I, personally, will be there in 2014!
  35. BaZ MaN from Canada writes: Great, yet another Olympics that no one will go to, as I don't know about you people but I have never heard or seen anything that would make me visit Russian. Maybe the Chinese will go and the Iranians but not too many others.
  36. Richard Bojankiewicz from Toronto, Canada writes: Well, at least it is better than the world being sent to Siberia...
  37. otmar zambo from Canada writes: Great News!!! I'd rather have th Russians pay for the "Olympic-Farce" than us!

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top