Once upon a time, the Olympic medal table was dominated by Soviet athletes. Team USSR came first in gold medals in six of the nine summer Olympics they participated in between 1952 and 1988 (and second in the other three). They did even better at the Winter Olympics, coming first in all but two games.
In preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi (the first games held in Russia since the end of the Cold War) billions have been invested in reconstructing the system that churned out champion athletes like sausages. Just as the Beijing Olympics in 2008 heralded the emergence of a more confident China onto the global stage, will the Sochi Olympics be interpreted as a sign of Russia’s rise? Clearly, President Vladimir Putin wants to ensure these Olympics deliver plenty of national prestige; Russia has spent more than $50 billion on the Sochi games, which is more than was spent on all the previous Winter Olympics put together.
Yet not all of the international attention focused on Russia has been positive. Most recently, the issue of gay rights has been in the headlines following the introduction by the Russian government of a ban on “homosexual propaganda“. The ban has drawn widespread criticism not just from Western media, but also from athletes competing in the games. In return, the Russian government has accused the EU of infringing human rights by “aggressively promoting homosexuality”.
European leaders have also criticised Russia for what they see as putting undue pressure on Ukraine not to sign a far-reaching Association Agreement with the EU late last year (a decision which led directly to the ongoing anti-government protests that have gripped Kiev and other parts of the country). The dispute has cooled relations between the EU and Russia, and led to a frosty summit in Brussels in which Putin warned the EU not to interfere in Ukraine.
Will the Sochi Olympics project an image of Russia as an emergent global power in the same way the Beijing Olympics did for China? And should Europe be concerned by its seemingly more aggressive and self-confident neighbor? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policy makers and experts for their reactions.
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No.
No.
They have very good sportsmen, especially skating.The games will be great, Sochi is very beautiful.
http://eblanademocraticmove.blogspot.ie/2013/08/gay-propaganda-is-banned-in-russia-when.html
………………..”The very notion of branding the gay pride as “gay propaganda” is laughable, especially in a country that for decades after WW2, had established one of the best organized brainwashing, propagating and surveillancing systems in modern human history.
I hope that one day the Russian leadership will understand how ridiculous this law is and that they can not deny the rights to about 10% of their country’s population. Homosexual individuals always existed throughout the history of the human race and in fact one of Russia’s best loved music composers, Tchaikovsky was one of them.
The gay pride is a symbol of acceptance and human rights, though sometimes today it does not always stick to its real message and purpose.
It symbolizes that those cities and the countries in general are not morally pretentious, conservative and authoritarian, but they are embracing the diversity of the sexual orientation of their inhabitants and thus being open, liberal societies. It does not symbolize as the Russian leadership believes, that the country is immoral and is succumbing to any kind of propaganda coming form the West or the gay people.
The Russian gay community is Russian above all, they are citizens of this country and they have rights as they have obligations just like every other citizen. To be able to celebrate the gay pride, is not about following a popular trend that sweeps the Western nations, rather showing that as a society Russia is mature and aware that a percentage of its population has different sexual orientation. And that this is fine by the heterosexual majority.
It gives the gay community a chance to show themselves and manifest not only their existence, but their absolute acceptance by the society and state they are living in. It is in fact a collective statement of a nation, that being homosexual is totally accepted and tolerated among its society and it is not about the gay community rubbing their “immoral” practices to the face of the mainstream, conservative and heterosexual community”…………….
Europe has nothing to fear from Russia if it stays united and be firm towards both Russia, USA, China or whichever other “power”.. We should seek to have a better relationship with them, as they are our neighbors and we rely on them for our energy supplies.. That does not mean that we should not stand up for ourselves.. For this to happen we need Europe to start speaking with one voice.. Otherwise nobody will take us seriously and then yes, then Russia, the USA or China could pose a threat for our region, if we allow our continent to become a battleground for their interests!! As it has happened before during the Cold War!
I do not want Europe to speak with one voice. The unelected crowd in Brussels does not speak for me, Frenc politicians want us to fund French pensions, Italians want us to fund Italian debt etc…
One voice? I think not.
Is Greece being bombarded about its practice in respect of Gays and their desire to be able to preach to children? My understanding is, Russia simply does not want schools to be inundated with the ins and outs of Gay pride and adoption of children into what Russians see as unacceptable. Freedom of choice must remain with Russia and the Russian people on this matter. Europe has to respect the rights of states to choose.
Gay acceptance is in a minority in countries across the world and this attack by their organisers on Russia is appalling. Homosexuality is not unlawful in Russia. Efforts to sort out Gay issues across the world should begin in countries which have capital punishment for what is considered a crime in their homeland. Then we would see courage from those who want to be acknowledged as openly Gay.
What has Greece got to do with it Catherine? Yes Russia is a sovereign nation and can do whatever it wants after all.. But it is not just about “indoctrination of children in schools about gay pride”, haven’t you seen the violence that gay people face in Russia? Yes it is up to the Russians to decide if they want to accept a gay pride, an issue that I am totally indifferent to.. But as long as beatings and attacks on gay people are concerned then I am sorry, this is unacceptable and I am just showing my support for gay folk in Russia by this article.. Their leaders should at least protect them from violence.. Now as far as gay prides and gay adoptions is concerned that is a decision that the Russian community must take on their own.. And just for the record Greece is progressing fast on the matter of gay rights. We have already established gay prides in the two main Greece cities of Athens and Thessaloniki and the phenomenon of “gay-bashing” is totally absent from our society.. Now all we have to do is to decide if we are going to allow gay civil partnerships/marriages, and that is a decision that the Greek society must make on its own time when they are ready.. Also for the record, I am not anti-Russian.. I have a great respect and admiration for their culture.. But the fact that gay people are attacked in such matter, bugs me… This has to stop!
No
We should be very concerned indeed. Russia is descending more and more into a dictatorial, monocultural, discriminating and closed society that shows not an ounce of respect for universal human rights, for minorities, nor for any form of democracy. Europe should send a very clear signal that we will not tolerate this.
The EU is also dictatorial, so what’s your point?
Not really Russians can be a good and a stabile partner for the European Empire. Both just need to be honest and fair partners, and there will be peace and prosperity for all :) Ofcourse first Germans and Russians need to learn how to get along first.
Russians wake up six months from now and say, ?Yes, our country has a fancy ski resort ? at the beach.?..
It just seems such a waste of money. 50 billion dollars have been “wasted” for this show off – Olympics while at the same time many Russians lack proper housing and infrastructure.
They build good 4×4 .. for siberia not suburbia
Gazprom could push a button and freeze out half of central Europe and you re wondering if Russia is asserting itself through the Olympics? The year is young but this is an excellent candidate for this page’s dumbest question of the year. An early favorite if I may say so.
Looks like the Russian propaganda machine is hard at work on facebook…
Niet.
We should be extremely cautious and spend as a whole more on defence. The situation looks very much like the 1930’s when a former great power felt humiliated and extreme nationalism was rampant in that state, the Weimar Republic.
#boycott_sochi_2014
Winter Games… Who cares about that? xD Important is Rio 2016.
Good luck Russia, I wish you the best for the Winter Olympics!
A Russia precisa de tempo e esses jogos são importantes dentro da sociedade civil da Russia a sua árvore irá dar os seus frutos mas precisa de tempo
Andries Vienne, when exactly was Russia this democratic paradise you speak of? In the 1990s under Yeltzin when he surrounded the Duma with tanks and after disbanding the Legislative branch ruled by decree whle sending troops to Chechnya’s slaughterhouse? When the West turned a blind eye while he stole the 1996 election from Zhuganov? And what exactly did he do for Russia? GDP fell by 50%, people connected to Yeltzin’s inner circles became billionaires while the country starved, defaulted on its sovereign debt in 1998… oh yeah those were wonderful days. Those stupid Russians, they don’t want to go back to that era and actually respect the guy who singlehandedly brought them out of that situation and made Russia a top 10 economy, restored its economic, diplomatic and military clout, Moscow now rivals Paris in terms of housing prices and Russia’s unemployment rate rivals Germany’s… oh yeah, those “democratic” days were wonderful. If you are interested in learning something about Russia, it would behoove you not to listen to completely skewed reports of Russia in the West, whose sole purpose is to portray Russia according to their own interests (weak, humiliated, poor = not a threat, while strong, rich, and powerful = threat)
Andries Vienne, when exactly was Russia this democratic paradise you speak of? In the 1990s under Yeltzin when he surrounded the Duma with tanks and after disbanding the Legislative branch ruled by decree whle sending troops to Chechnya’s slaughterhouse? When the West turned a blind eye while he stole the 1996 election from Zhuganov? And what exactly did he do for Russia? GDP fell by 50%, people connected to Yeltzin’s inner circles became billionaires while the country starved, defaulted on its sovereign debt in 1998… oh yeah those were wonderful days. Those stupid Russians, they don’t want to go back to that era and actually respect the guy who singlehandedly brought them out of that situation and made Russia a top 10 economy, restored its economic, diplomatic and military clout, Moscow now rivals Paris in terms of housing prices and Russia’s unemployment rate rivals Germany’s… oh yeah, those “democratic” days were wonderful. If you are interested in learning something about Russia, it would behoove you not to listen to completely skewed reports of Russia in the West, whose sole purpose is to portray Russia according to their own interests (weak, humiliated, poor = not a threat, while strong, rich, and powerful = threat)
No, its corruption, there are to many conditions complaints.
https://www.facebook.com/europeanparliament appeal to the European Parliament … First, you can apply sanctions , but the opposition consisting of the neo-fascists and radical nationalists , the legitimate representatives of the government , you will not be able to produce anything . opposition consists of terrorist groups. Who do not enjoy majority support in Ukraine. Opposition terrorized residents of Kiev , Kiev citizens on Independence was just 12% , the rest is on the territory of Ukraine who gathered workers orange revolutions , part of the western regions , for what these people pay money to the U.S. and EU countries predominating . During the riots , the grip of administrative buildings , these people paid money through NGOs to EU countries and the USA. Only Germany according to intelligence invested in riots 5 billion. Now who should impose sanctions on the EU or Ukraine . Russia fully supports the legal establishment of order in Ukraine. Berkut soldiers are considered heroes and Ukraine , including , but paid by the EU and the U.S. media are trying to make white – black, and black -and-white . Media makes Nazi terrorists – the victims and groups Berkut – barbarians. And in the U.S. and in the EU , the opposition is what is happening in the center of Kiev , and the capture of administrations in the areas in the U.S. and the EU they would have dispersed to protect the majority . And when using napalm weapons and opposition leaders say the United States would have received under the law of 10 years , as there is evidence of video and Oudh , they were calling for meetings and to create unrest to seize power in the provinces. POLICE in the U.S. have the right to use firearms when life is threatened . A Berkut soldiers , it is the same and they do not have the right to protect their lives from criminals. At the expense of sanctions against Ukraine if the Parliament will try to impose sanctions , Russia and EAC countries – Belarus, Kazakhstan , Russia , Armenia, Kyrgyzstan , Ukraine , Syria ( Bri?s, Latin American countries ) to apply sanctions to the European Parliament . Double standards for themselves harshly suppress rallies enough video evidence and Oudh . Russia in an attempt to overthrow the legitimate authority , including Yanukovych will stop the flow of gas and oil to the EU countries . Russia will help Ukraine to restore order in case of continuation bessporyadkov and Rorssiya help close the funding from foreign governments through NGOs strikes, leading to unrest. http://www.utro.ua/ru/politika/sovetnik_putina_predlagaet_ukrainskoy_vlasti_razognat_demonstrantov_siloy1391681155 Ukrainians, Russian , Belarus – one people , Slavs, but the U.S. , Nazi Germany , and now the EU are doing everything to divide one people, we have the same genes , and it is not necessary for us to climb , in every Ukrainian has relatives in Russia and every Ukrainian, have relatives in Russia . U.S. bombed Slavs in Yugoslavia , but we did not Yugoslavia , we were united with the center of Kievan Rus in Kiev. Belarusians , Russ White , Russ – Russian , Ukrainians , and Kievan Rus was the center of Kiev . The EU wants to make Ukraine , the same as from Cyprus , Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. Bankrupt state budgets, and ( slave ) , the IMF put poor countries on a needle under a huge %. And then install the commissioners have the power and will to control Ukraine and collect tribute in the form of taxes to the budget of the major states of Germany , Britain and France. Other countries in the EU are considered slaves. Therefore, in the poor countries of the EU crisis . Secondly , Ukraine will not go to the EU , Romania will take as Bessarabia . What could give Ukraine the EU? Ukraine will have little voice in the European Parliament . NATO could bomb Ukraine if rise about 2,000 people , as in Yugoslavia , as if to tear Ukraine apart, then it will be easier to manage the U.S., UK and Germany. EU will from Ukraine Western and Eastern State . After all, in the East and in the South more than 70 % support Yanukovych and Western , where fewer people live and there is not much more for the opposition. And now, after the pogroms and grabs, the opposition leaders should be prosecuted , as in most EU countries and the USA. Ie they are no longer legitimate…
IGNORE him and do not implore him for gas – it’s just stupid/ make him official dictator
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Yes Europe and the world should…
I think Russia is on a positive path, but without a self-confident population with a gourvernment that protects the individual and with an rich elite that is a little bit afraid, creativity and entrepreanuership might hold back some. Topics that I think needs work. Hopefully EU and Russia will come together.
Me thinks he fulfils his job description.
Me thinks he fulfils his job description.
The Sochi opening ceremony was fantastic. I enjoyed it far more than the London Olympics, which was mediocre in comparison. I loved the section on traditional marriage, how wonderful to see the commitment of men and women in love on show. Mr Putin is a very clever man. Well done Sochi and all those who worked to so hard for this beautiful spectacle to begin.
Unfortunately, I was unable to find the full opening video. It appears to be blocked from UK viewers. But here is a little of it from the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26091283
Athletes are not the only ones competing in Sochi. Officials and businessmen have also taken part in the Games and turned them into a source of illicit income. The Anti-Corruption Foundation has honored the most distinguished money-siphoners in five different sports.
http://sochi.fbk.info/en/
Athletes are not the only ones competing in Sochi. Officials and businessmen have also taken part in the Games and turned them into a source of illicit income. The Anti-Corruption Foundation has honored the most distinguished money-siphoners in five different sports.
http://sochi.fbk.info/en/
No. Was the london olympics sign of a resurgent Britain.
“Sochi Olympics the sign of a resurgent Russia?”
To answer this question just think of Athens 2004!
Of course, there are important differences like the one
that Russia is not a member of the euro zone and thus cannot easily tap into
the resources of other countries taxpayers.
Obviously, you are unaware of the root problem in Greek crisis. Setting the record straight:
1. Greece was forced to high military expenditure after the Ymia incident (30-31/1/1996) when, for a couple of hours, “EU territory” came under foreign military control (Turkish troops). Fpr more than 10 consequitive years, MilExp/GDP was well above the afordable for developed economies level of 4-4,5%
2. As a result, Greece could not have qualified for EMU/Euro since high MilExps result to increasing public deficit, rising dept, inflation et.al.
3. By the end of the 1990s, the Franco-German alliance realised that should Greece had remained outside the EMU/Euro-project, the whole Balkan peninsula would have remained at the USD economic sphere. Thus, they decided to politically accept Greece as member of the EMU/Euro by “managing” its economic figures (later called “Greek statistics”).
4. When Greece joined the EMU/Euro (2000) the EU Commission and ECB also accepted a revaluation of DRS (from 353,109DRS/Euro to 340,75) thus boosting the monetary bubble in Greece (in order to couple problems caused by “2”). In other words, the final exchange rate between DRS and the new currency (euro) was fixed by non economic (primarily political) bias of the Franco-German alliance and the EU bureaucracy who want the Balkans to be under the “EU” (namely, German nowadays) sphere of influence.
Given the fact that Russia and the Sea power (the UK before 1945 and the USA up-today) are the key stabilizing factors regardinf the Balkans, I hope that resurgent Russia and a strong USD would give us our LIBERTY and DIGNITY back from the West European Usurers Corporation (disguised as “European Union” and neo-nazionalist Germany).
Th Sochi Winter Olympics is a good sign – time for the US President to get the right decisions approaching Russia for a new deal that may stabilize the European Continent and detter the key source of destabilization (neo-nazionalist Germany) from causing a new bloodshed in Europe.
$20 MILLION PER PARTICIPANT – IS THAT A DECENT LEVEL FOR AN OLYMPIC EVENT?
http://www.isca-web.org/english/news/20millionperparticipantisthatadecentlevelforanolympicevent
Russia is holding on oil and gas. No country is developed enough without industry. Why is China strong? Why is Germany strong? Because of industry. Russia has only a few millionaires that benefited from taking over the old soviet factories and under political umbrella. There are no middle industries because people are afraid to invest. They know that someone with good political ties can just steal their companies.
@ Vicente Silva Travares:
The Russian people were robbed by fraudulent oligarchs who stole their oil money as well as black market deals and set up home in the UK with our governments consent. They plundered the entire Russian oil industry and got away with it. Their hard working people were robbed in broad daylight and the culprits free to play obscenely in European states. Our banks love them and support them in their theft.
What happened there in Russia over this matter is hidden and I believe there was one or two scapegoats jailed in that country, but, the truth is it was plundered with European consent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9509947/Berezovsky-v-Abramovich-How-Roman-Abramovich-made-his-fortune.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_oligarch
Well, since the Jeltsin era, Russian national debt was handled by the massive oil and natural gas exports, and Russia is part of both the G8, G20 groups. One could say they are part of the world politics, more notably than in the 90’s.
But they are different from the Chinese, back at the Beijing olympics there were no governmental level concerns about human rights, also there wasn’t a Snowden case, Russia sheltering a human rights activist from the US.
There is probably no need for concerns, the EU might find a stable enough economical and maybe political partner in the still-changing global situation.
Russia tem condições para os Jogos Olimpicos Sochi 2014, então existe
vontade de fomentar os direitos humanos a democracia na Russia.
Thank you for this sound advice, and I will keep it all in mind as I blog.