Journalists appalled at poor conditions in Sochi, 51 billion Olympics without water, doorknobs or manhole covers

**Adar** · February 05, 2014, 12:20 AM

Amid continued debate over whether or not Sochi is prepared to host the 2014 Olympics, which begins Thursday, reporters from around the world are starting to check into local hotels — to their apparent grief. Some journalists arriving in Sochi are describing appalling conditions in the housing there, where only six of nine media hotels are ready for guests. Hotels are still under construction. Water, if it’s running, isn’t drinkable. One German photographer told the AP over the weekend that his hotel still had stray dogs and construction workers wandering in and out of rooms.

This is how the water looks like (if you get any):

But the street promenade is nice as long as you do not fall down in the holes...

And the lobby may lack a floor but at least they got a picture of President Putin.

From a PR perspective it looks like Sochi is going to be less of a Beijing success and more of a Munich disaster. But at least they are putting a lot of effort into security.

**Condottiere 40K** · February 05, 2014, 02:24 AM

**Dr Zoidberg** · February 05, 2014, 02:28 AM

Are we really surprised that a country renowned for its corruption isn't ready? How much of the construction money was funnelled off to grease various individuals' palms as opposed to say building lobbies or toilets capable of flushing paper?

Also, cue incensed Russian TWC members who will find someway of blaming this on everybody but Russia in 5...4...3...

**Visna** · February 05, 2014, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by Dr Zoidberg

Are we really surprised that a country renowned for its corruption isn't ready? How much of the construction money was funnelled off to grease various individuals' palms as opposed to say building lobbies or toilets capable of flushing paper?

Such figures are hard to come by, Russia isn't exactly renowned for it's transparancy, but an estimated 1/3 to 1/2 of the money spent has gone to down the corruption drain. A bit ironic that an event which could be used as an excellent PR opportunity and to rejuvenate the entire Caucasus region, (which by golly has plenty of issues to deal with), is instead becoming a symbol of pretty much everything wrong in Russia, gross abuse of power, rampant corruption, organised crime and terrorist threats.

**athanaric** · February 05, 2014, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Visna

A bit ironic that an event which could be used as an excellent PR opportunity and to rejuvenate the entire Caucasus region, (which by golly has plenty of issues to deal with), is instead becoming a symbol of pretty much everything wrong in Russia, gross abuse of power, rampant corruption, organised crime and terrorist threats.

If they wanted to rejuvenate the Caucasus region, they could have started by not destroying the natural heritage of said region, some of which is pretty unique (e.g. the rainforests near the coastline between Russia and Georgia). I don't blame the Russians for Islamic terrorism or other internal issues associated with these games, but the fact that the responsibly parties blatantly ignored Russian law and built "Olympic" installations in heretofore protected areas is the biggest problem with this event, as it will inflict lasting damage to local ecosystems.

Originally Posted by Sphere

Sochi needs a manhole inspector.

I thought Putin made it very clear they didn't want any of those chaps in Russia?

**Elemental** · February 05, 2014, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by athanaric

I thought Putin made it very clear they didn't want any of those chaps in Russia?

**Durnaug** · February 07, 2014, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Visna

gross abuse of power, rampant corruption, organised crime and terrorist threats.

Sounds like most Western governments aswell. By all means have a larf at Oligarchic Russia (Putin's "spontaneous" publicity shots are supremely dumb) but I just want to remind peeps that our own governments are just as bad.

**Elemental** · February 05, 2014, 03:35 AM

So the slander continues...

**Kraut** · February 05, 2014, 03:57 AM

Picture one looks scary... like apple juice...

**~~weirdoascensor~~** · February 05, 2014, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by Adar

This is how the water looks like (if you get any):

The water that comes out of my sink's tap looks somewhat like that...But atleast it would settle down after a while...

But seriously, Isn't this event planned as a prestigious project by Russian Government themselves? Well, honestly, something like this isn't something new for me...This happen all the times in my country, just like in Russia.

**Ciciro** · February 05, 2014, 05:20 AM

But they weren't pictures of shirtless Putin...

**Condottiere 40K** · February 05, 2014, 05:21 AM

Which is why vodka is so popular.

**IZob** · February 05, 2014, 06:01 AM

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status...676992/photo/1

I did not know Russians went to the bathroom together

On another topic: I hope nationalistic pride is on the low this time. Every Olympic game on TV that I can remember, sets a global race to get the most medals and, it's crazy cheers for the winning country. It makes me sick. "Nationalism is inherently divisive, and highlights perceived differences between people, emphasising an individual's identification with their own nation. The idea is also potentially oppressive because it submerges individual identity within a national whole, and gives elites or political leaders potential opportunities to manipulate or control the masses"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#Criticisms

**mongrel** · February 05, 2014, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by IZob

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status...676992/photo/1

I did not know Russians went to the bathroom together

On another topic: I hope nationalistic pride is on the low this time. Every Olympic game on TV that I can remember, sets a global race to get the most medals and, it's crazy cheers for the winning country. It makes me sick. "Nationalism is inherently divisive, and highlights perceived differences between people, emphasising an individual's identification with their own nation. The idea is also potentially oppressive because it submerges individual identity within a national whole, and gives elites or political leaders potential opportunities to manipulate or control the masses"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism#Criticisms

At least the toilets come with instrutions. But who would be tempted to drink toilet water, notwithstanding the seemingly putrid drink on offer? And fishing? What is that about?

**Adar** · February 05, 2014, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by mongrel

At least the toilets come with instrutions. But who would be tempted to drink toilet water, notwithstanding the seemingly putrid drink on offer? And fishing? What is that about?

That is probably some serious humor. I know that at least one tourist guide in Moscow like to randomly insert the word "apple" into his guides to see if people actually listen to him and this seem rather similar. Because I sure know that I rarely look at instructions on how to take a dump.

**Maximinus Thrax** · February 07, 2014, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by Dolgorukiy

There were lots of complaints about the quality of the restrooms too, the one with the two johns side by side comes to mind.

What the journalists don't realize is that the situation could have been much, MUCH worse.

**Col. Tartleton** · February 05, 2014, 06:40 AM

If people shelled out adequate rubles I'm sure they could stay somewhere finished...

**Roma_Victrix** · February 05, 2014, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Col. Tartleton

If people shelled out adequate rubles I'm sure they could stay somewhere finished...

You have more rubles? ZDRASTVEETEEYEA! KAK VASHEE DEALA? WELCOME, COMRADE! Right this way, sir, we have nice hotel for yous.

People shouldn't get too overly dramatic about this. There's always bottled water, after all. I've stayed in worse hotels in Kyrgyzstan, trust me.

That being said...watch out for the manholes!

Also, what's up with the 51 billion figure in the title?

**conon394** · February 05, 2014, 07:24 AM

Hey this be in the Putin wins again thread, he coned the Olympics and got a great way to funnel money to his cronies.

------------

On another topic: I hope nationalistic pride is on the low this time. Every Olympic game on TV that I can remember, sets a global race to get the most medals and, it's crazy cheers for the winning country. It makes me sick. "Nationalism is inherently divisive, and highlights perceived differences between people, emphasising an individual's identification with their own nation. The idea is also potentially oppressive because it submerges individual identity within a national whole, and gives elites or political leaders potential opportunities to manipulate or control the masses"

Dude - chill s bit. It's a fun way to direct nationalism. In general people as far I can see respect the winners and I don't see anything wrong with being exited if your country wins. And in general have watched say Women Ice Hockey? You can see the USA or Canada or Finland are usually not trying to humiliate say the Chinese team by playing pass (OK Canada was a bit harsh in Vancouver). If was truly purely nationalist the US or Canada could run up the score and issue a beat down (well beyond what they have done).

What I find funny is why sports get dropped - the fact of American and Canadian dominance of women's Ice Hockey has generated lots of calls for it to be dropped as a sport. But nobody cares about say the equal dominance by the US and Australia of Olympic men's swimming or the fact the Luge is basically owned by Germany and Austria or why did Baseball get axed?

**Condottiere 40K** · February 05, 2014, 08:03 AM

Cricket.

Thread: Journalists appalled at poor conditions in Sochi, 51 billion Olympics without water, doorknobs or manhole covers

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Journalists appalled at poor conditions in Sochi, 51 billion Olympics without water, doorknobs or manhole covers

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