One significant story line is the threat of terrorist activity coming from nearby Chechnya. Despite that, Russian President Vladimir Putin has given assurances that there is "ring of steel" formed to protect the athletes.
Not sure what the fuss over safety was about. Police presence has been strong. #SochiProblems #Sochi2014 #SochiFail pic.twitter.com/5UEvOS2XA0
— Sochi Problems (@SochiProbz) February 6, 2014
Another explosive issue is Russia's stance against homosexual rights. In July, Putin signed legislation outlawing pro-gay "propaganda" that can be accessible to minors. But if you believe the mayor of Sochi would, such a law is not necessary.
Amid swirling anti-gay sentiment in Russia, Sochi’s mayor claims there are no gay people in his city.Keep that in mind as you hear of the squalid conditions that exist in Sochi hotel rooms (e.g. a bug being found in honey, water not being safe to use on one's face, etc.).
“It’s not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live. We do not have them in our city,” Anatoly Pakhomov told BBC Panorama in an interview.
Pakhomov said gays were welcome to visit Sochi, which will host the Winter Olympics in just under two weeks, as long as they “respect Russian law” and “don’t impose their habits on others.”
Sochi hotel room interior decor: pic.twitter.com/REJznLGgAd So maybe the mayor wasn't lying. Maybe there really aren't any gay people in Sochi.
— Ryan Adams (@filmystic) February 5, 2014
Yeah, I know it's a cheap joke. But given some of the tensions surrounding the Olympic games, perhaps it's best to add a little levity.
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