Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sochi Olympics in 2014

In 2014, the Winter Olympics are going to be held in Sochi, Russia, which is a neighboring city from my hometown. There has been a huge controversy over the issue including the fact that Russia might not be able to build in time. However, it was approved by the International Olympics Committee. After the approval, Times published an article titled The Sochi Olympics: A win for Putin (the former president of Russia). 
Here is the budget that is planned on spending for the Olympics:
Note: 1 dollar=30 rubles

Funds approved
from 2006 till 2014
YearBillions of rubles
20064.9
200715.9
200831.6
200927.3
201022.2
201127.1
201226.3
201322.1
20148.4

 The country is now divided into the supporters and opposers of the Olympics. The supporters, who consist mainly of wealthy businessmen, believe that the Games will bring success and tourism to the region. The opposers consist of many different groups of people, each having their own goals. Some are the people who live in Sochi, but were forced to move because their houses were destroyed and hotels were built in their place. Now many of them are homeless and do not have a place to go. 

Others, like the Circassians oppose the Olympics because the main place, called the Red Valley was where the CIrcassian Genocide took place in 1864 and 97% of the Circassians were killed and deported to the Ottoman Empire, Syria, Jordan and other countries. The graves of dead soldiers that were buried near the place are bulldozed and dug out to be replaced by amusement parks. Officially, Russia did not recognize the Circassian Genocide, thus the issue does not receive enough attention. 
As a Circassian, the issue has a huge meaning to me and I have participated in protests in New York City and Boston. Recently Stephen D. Shenfield wrote the book "The Massacre in History" and urged for the recognition of the Circassian Genocide. The authorities will not do it because it will prevent the Games from taking place and as a result in Circassian independence. 
Here is a video of one of the protests that was held in NYC



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