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Some of the accommodations for visitors and journalists were still not complete or under construction during the week before Opening Day. Some of the attendees have reported the lack of shower curtains, that their rooms were still under construction, the lack of furnishings, water so dangerous that it was inadvisable to wash their faces with it.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= FOX News |url= http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/02/05/sochi-squalor-journalists-report-hotel-horror-stories-as-russians-scramble-to/ |title=
Some of the accommodations for visitors and journalists were still not complete or under construction during the week before Opening Day. Some of the attendees have reported the lack of shower curtains, that their rooms were still under construction, the lack of furnishings, water so dangerous that it was inadvisable to wash their faces with it.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= FOX News |url= http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/02/05/sochi-squalor-journalists-report-hotel-horror-stories-as-russians-scramble-to/ |title=
Sochi squalor: Journalists report hotel horror stories as Russians scramble to finish construction |date= 5 February 2014 }} </ref> Some hotels were still under construction.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= The Telegraph (London) |url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10620602/Winter-Olympics-visitors-complain-about-Sochi-construction-sites.html |title= Winter Olympics visitors complain about Sochi 'construction sites' |date= 5 February 2014 }} </ref> The inability to flush toilet paper in the toilets is surprising to some visitors, as it is likely they have not encountered sewage systems that were overtaxed by this added sewage.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= Toronto Star |url= http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi2014/2014/02/05/sochi_2014_olympics_worse_games_ever_no_pampered_journalists_should_just_chill_dimanno.html |title= Sochi 2014 Olympics: ‘Worst. Games. Ever?’ No, pampered journalists should just chill: DiManno |author= Rosie DiManno |date= 5 February 2014 }} </ref> The state of affairs is not the worst ever, as some other Olympics have been further behind in their preparations.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= Denver Post |url= http://www.denverpost.com/olympics/ci_25064389/sochi-organizers-scramble-finish-construction |date= 7 February 2014 |author= Jason Blevins |title= Sochi organizers scramble to finish construction }} </ref>
Sochi squalor: Journalists report hotel horror stories as Russians scramble to finish construction |date= 5 February 2014 }} </ref> Some hotels were still under construction.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= The Telegraph (London) |url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10620602/Winter-Olympics-visitors-complain-about-Sochi-construction-sites.html |title= Winter Olympics visitors complain about Sochi 'construction sites' |date= 5 February 2014 }} </ref> The inability to flush toilet paper in the toilets is surprising to some visitors, as it is likely they have not encountered sewage systems that were overtaxed by this added sewage.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= Toronto Star |url= http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi2014/2014/02/05/sochi_2014_olympics_worse_games_ever_no_pampered_journalists_should_just_chill_dimanno.html |title= Sochi 2014 Olympics: ‘Worst. Games. Ever?’ No, pampered journalists should just chill: DiManno |author= Rosie DiManno |date= 5 February 2014 }} </ref> The state of affairs is not the worst ever, as some other Olympics have been further behind in their preparations.<ref> {{cite news |publisher= Denver Post |url= http://www.denverpost.com/olympics/ci_25064389/sochi-organizers-scramble-finish-construction |date= 7 February 2014 |author= Jason Blevins |title= Sochi organizers scramble to finish construction }} </ref>

==Skyjacking==
On 7 February 2014, during the opening ceremony, a [[Pegasus Airlines]] jetliner from Ukraine to Turkey was threatened by a passenger claiming to have a bomb and wanting to hijack the plane to fly it to Sochi. It landed in Istanbul, Turkey.<ref> {{cite news |url= http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/07/world/europe/turkey-flight-bomb-threat/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 |title= Official: Plane lands in Turkey after bomb threat, passenger wants to land in Sochi |date= 7 February 2014 |author1= Gul Tuysuz |author2= Michael Martinez }} </ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:56, 7 February 2014

Olympic rings
Part of a series on
2014 Winter Olympics

There have been controversies and concerns affecting the 2014 Winter Olympics. The major disputes are with Circassians, who demand the events be cancelled or moved unless Russia apologises for the 19th century deaths that the Circassians regard to be a genocide,[1] environmental and economic issues, lack of political stability and governance and the safety and human rights of LGBT athletes, supporters and journalists, in light of Russia's anti-gay laws.[2][3] A number of politicians have announced that they intend to boycott the Olympics in protest of Russia's human rights record.[4][5]

Human rights

On 30 January 2014, nine Amnesty International European directors delivered the petition in Moscow to the offices of Russian President Vladimir Putin calling on him to repeal a series of laws restricting the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association in the run up to the Sochi Winter Olympics.[6]

According to Amnesty the Amnesty Law is no substitute for effective justice system. Amnesty demanded the Russian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners of conscience (POCs). The Russian parliament passed an amnesty bill that freed the imprisoned Pussy Riot singers, the foreign activists amongst Greenpeace’s “Arctic 30” and the 2012 Bolotnaya Square protest.[7]

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly presented the IOC detailed evidence of documented human rights abuses linked to Russia's preparations for the 2014 Winter Games since 2009. Human Rights Watch have exploitation of construction workers, evictions of residents without fair compensation, harassment of activists and journalists critical of the Games, as well as Russia's discriminatory anti-LGBT propaganda law.[8] Not before late 2013 the Russian government and IOC covered $8.34 million in wage arrears.[9]

Human Rights Watch published the Reporters’ Guide For Covering the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.[10]

American recording artist Cher declined the invitation to perform at the Winter Olympics because of Russia's anti-LGBT sentiments. [11]

LGBT rights

Further information: LGBT rights in Russia and Olympic protests of Russian anti-gay laws

Since the establishment of a Pride House at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, pavilions welcoming and celebrating LGBT athletes and communities have been established at major sporting events including the 2012 Summer Olympics and the UEFA Euro 2012, and future Pride Houses are planned.

An attempt to establish a Pride House at the 2014 Winter Olympics was struck down by the Ministry of Justice, which would not approve the registration of the NGO set up to organize the Pride House. The ban was upheld by Krasnodar Krai Judge Svetlana Mordovina on the basis of the Pride House inciting "propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation which can undermine the security of the Russian society and the state and provoke social-religious hatred, which is the feature of the extremist character of the activity".[12]

Human Rights Watch noted the issue with the new Russian laws concerning homosexuality and called for the IOC to take into consideration the safety of any LGBT competitors. American and Russian Gay rights group RUSA LGBT contacted the IOC regarding their concerns, and petitioned sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa Inc., Panasonic, Samsung, and Procter & Gamble to boycott the games due to the Russian government's stance on homosexuality.[13]

Amid calls from LGBT advocates for countries to boycott the Olympics, the IOC stated in August 2013 that it had "received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games";[14] this was contradicted in a statement three days later made by Russia's Ministry of the Interior, which stated that the anti-propaganda laws would still be enforced in Sochi.[15] The IOC also confirmed that it would enforce Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which forbids political protest, against athletes who make displays of support for the LGBT community.[16]

The IOC received written assurance from the Russian government in August 2013 stating that it is committed to abiding by the Olympic Charter during the Olympic Games.[17]

More than 50 Olympians (mainly from US, Canada and Australia, and also Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden) called on the Russian authorities to repeal introduced anti-gay laws in the end of January 2014. They criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and sponsors for not doing more for human rights.[18]

t.A.T.u. at the opening festivities

The Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. is to perform in part of the opening day festivities. The pair are widely known for their fake lesbian antics as part of their stage shows from their heyday. Those antics are now illegal under current Russian law.[19] The duo have previous marched in support of gay pride.[20] Their name in Russian is slang for girl-on-girl love.[21]

Environment

See also: Environmental issues in Russia
XXII Olympic winter games in Sochi. The souvenir sheet of Russia, 2011

Despite several expert statements[22][23] that the construction of Olympic venues in the buffer area of the UNESCO protected Caucasus Biosphere Reserve and Sochi National Park could be harmful, the IOC approved the plans. Greenpeace of Russia said that the IOC and the Russian Government assume all responsibility for any damage to the West Caucasus natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the Sochi bid, a wide array of construction is planned in the Grushevyi Ridge area. They include a cascade of hydroelectric power stations on the Mzymta River, sewage treatment facilities, a high-speed rail link, a Mountain Olympic Village, a track for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton (which was relocated in May 2009), and a biathlon venue. Alpine skiing venues are being constructed in the Rosa Khutor plateau and the Psekhako Ridge area. Environmentalists propose building up Krasnaya Polyana instead of destroying nature reserve sites.

Environmentalists also oppose the plan of construction of a cargo terminal for ships in the mouth of the Psou River in the Imereti Lowland, because this could lead to the destruction of the largest areas of sea-flooded shore and marshes.[24]

On 3 July 2008, Vladimir Putin directed some of the Olympic venues, such as the luge and bobsleigh track, to be relocated (the Russian National Sliding Centre was relocated in May 2009). He said "In setting our priorities and choosing between money and the environment, we're choosing the environment."[25][26][27]

Geologist Dr Sergei Volkov has fled to Ukraine after speaking out about environmental and geological problems. He states that mercury and uranium deposits, as well as the probability of landslides, make the location of the games hazardous. He also argues that the location of a cargo port was inappropriate. A storm there killed three seamen and destroyed $14 million of infrastructure.[28]

On 29 October 2013 it was reported that Russia broke its 'Zero Waste' Olympic Pledge, as it emerged that Russia's state-owned rail monopoly is dumping tons of construction waste into an illegal landfill, raising concerns of possible contamination in the water that directly supplies Sochi.[29]

Amnesty International

See also: Human rights in Russia

5 February 2014 Russian authorities sentenced environmental activist Igor Kharchenko to five days. Kharchenko is member of the Russian NGO Environmental Watch for North Caucasus (Ecologicheskaya Vakhta po Severnomu Kavkazu). He has been arrested and his car was vandalized. Sergei Nikitin, Amnesty International’s Moscow Office Director said: “The Russian authorities must halt their harassment of civil society activists, protect the right to peaceful freedom of expression, and release the Sochi prisoners of conscience: Igor Kharchenko and his fellow environmentalist Yevgeny Vitishko, who is currently serving 15 days in administrative detention on trumped-up charges.”[30]

Evgeny Vitishko was arrested for 15 days in the Sochi area reportedly charged allegedly for swearing at a bus stop. Yevgeniy Vitishko and his fellow activists have been actively involved in protests regarding the deforestation and illegal construction and fencing in areas of protected forest around Sochi. AI is concerned about his unfair trial resulted in a court decision to send him to prison colony for three years.[31]

Killing of stray dogs

The issue of stray dogs has come up before the Olympics. On February 3, 2014, the city hired a firm to poison the stray population - an approach that has brought international condemnation. [32]

Economy

According to the New York Times the $50 billion or so lavished on Sochi is becoming a political liability. The stalling of the economy, despite the stimulus of Olympic spending, has raised worries about popular unrest directed at the Kremlin and a tightening of political freedoms in response once the Games are over. “It is about what Russia could have done with this money." said Aleksei A. Navalny, the Foundation for the Fight Against Corruption.[33]

According to IRN.Ru analytical agency, prices for land, located next to the shoreline, reach $150,000 per 100 m²,[34] while price per square metre in average panel apartment building on the outskirts of the city already reaches $2000. "As a result of 2014 Olympics euphoria prices will rise annually by 15–20%," speculates Irina Tyurina, press secretary of Russian Tourist Industry Union. This could lead to decrease in tourist interest to Sochi, which already has fallen below Anapa, Gelendzhik and Adler.[35]

After the IOC Evaluation Commission visited Sochi in February 2007, local authorities promised to buy the lands from Lower Imereti Bay long-time residents for a fair market price. But during the following half a year, no local resident could get his land approved as private property.[23]

While most Olympic Games have high cost overruns, for these Games they are much higher than usual. Much of the cost overruns have been blamed on corruption, with Boris Nemtsov claiming: "The Sochi Olympics are an unprecedented thieves’ caper in which representatives of Putin’s government are mixed up along with the oligarchs close to the government." Poor workers conditions and rights have also been raised as an issue of concern, with at least 25 people dying and many more injured in accidents on sites in 2012.[36]

Corruption

The Fight Against Corruption published an interactive website charting critics of waste and corruption in the construction of the Olympic facilities: HERE[37]

Circassians

Main article: Ethnic cleansing of Circassians

Circassian organisations have also spoken out against the Olympics, arguing that the Games will take place on land that had been inhabited by them since the beginning of recorded history by their ancestors until 1864,[38][39] when the resolution of the Russian-Circassian War was stated to have caused the disappearance (variously by death or deportation) of 1.5 million Circassians, or 90%[40][41]-94%[42] of the Circassian nation. They are demanding the Sochi 2014 Olympics be cancelled or moved unless Russia apologises for what the Circassians regard to be a genocide.[1] Some Circassian groups have not expressed outright opposition to the Olympics but argue that symbols of Circassian history and culture should be included in the format, as Australia, the United States, and Canada did with their indigenous populations in 2000, 2002, and 2010 respectively.[43]

The games are viewed to be particularly offensive because they include the date of the 150th anniversary of what they consider a genocide. It has thus been a rallying cry for Circassian nationalists.[44][45]

In particular, there is much ire over the use of a hill called "Red Hill".[46] In 1864, a group of Circassians apparently tried to return home but were attacked and a battle ensued, ending in their massacre, and attaining the name "Red Hill" (for the blood spilt). There will be skiing and snowboarding on this hill.[46]

Political stability and governance

The 2008 Russia–Georgia war, which broke out at the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, surprised the Olympic community. "It is not what the world wants to see. It is contrary to what the Olympic ideal stands for," said an IOC spokesperson. However, in November 2008, the IOC turned down a request by the Georgian National Olympic Committee to reconsider its decision to hold the Olympics on the territory "adjacent both to the [Russian-]occupied Abkhaz conflict zone, and to the extremely unstable and volatile North Caucasus".

Related concerns persist, regarding the region's safety and the desirability of hosting an Olympics in a conflict-ridden zone. "The region is such a muddied and bloodied aquarium of conflict that to pick out any one fish is impossible," says Oleg Nechiporenko, chief analyst for Russia's National Anti-Terrorist and Anti-Criminal Fund, in response to a 26 May 2010, car bombing, whose suspects include Russian nationalists, local mafia groups, separatists and Islamists in the North Caucasus, or a remnant of the war in Abkhazia.[47][48]

Sochi borders Russia's six autonomous North Caucasus republics, home of the Second Chechen War which allegedly face social problems.[49] According to an article in Daily Telegraph, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, head of Saudi intelligence, allegedly confronted the Kremlin with a mix of inducements and threats in a bid to break the deadlock over Syria. This included security of winter olympics in Sochi if there is no accord. “I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us,” he allegedly said.[50]

Russian Envoy to the North Caucasus Alexander Khloponin told local law enforcement that "the violent scramble for assets" is likely to get worse as Russia invests heavily in tourist infrastructure and Olympic-caliber ski resorts.[51]

Safety

Three suicide bombings in Volgograd, one in October 2013 and the others in December 2013, have raised additional international concerns about security during the Olympics. The IOC expressed sympathy for the victims and underlined that they trusted that Russia's security arrangements for the Olympics would be adequate.[52]

The British, German, Italian, Hungarian, Austrian, Slovenian and Slovakian Olympic associations received threats that athletes would be "blown up" or kidnapped by terrorists at the Winter Games.[53] According to the IOC, the letters did not represent any real threat.[54]

2014 Formula One Russian Grand Prix

In 2014, Sochi will host the Russian Formula One Grand Prix. The planned circuit will run in and around the Sochi Olympic Park,[55][56] which led to the IOC expressing concern that construction of the circuit could disrupt preparations for the Olympic Games. The IOC was granted the power to delay the inaugural race until 2015 in order to ensure the Olympics were held without disruption.[57]

Countries choosing to not enter competitors

A total of 91 nations qualified to compete at the Games. However, three nations chose not to send their athletes to the Games, even though they had met the international qualification standards.

Puerto Rico is not sending Kristina Krone for the second consecutive time because the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee (COPUR) withdrew its recognition of the Puerto Rico Winter Sports Federation after the 2002 Winter Olympics due to an eligibility controversy involving a member of their bobsled team. According to COPUR president Sara Rosario, "Until there is a properly constituted winter sports federation with the requisite seriousness upon which we can consistently rely every four years, we cannot endorse (participation by Puerto Rico athletes in the Olympic Winter Games)".[58] Krone has represented Puerto Rico since 2008 in more than 100 alpine ski competitions sanctioned by the International Ski Federation including the 2009, 2011 and 2013 World Alpine Ski Championships.[59]

South Africa would not enter skier Sive Speelman, who, although invited to compete by the IOC, did not meet the standards set by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.[60]

Algeria also chose not to enter its only competitor because he was the only one that managed to qualify, Mehdi-Selim Khelifi, even though he was their only entry four years prior at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.[61]

Independent participants

There are three Independent Olympic participants from India who will compete under the Olympics flag. Currently the Indian Olympic Association is suspended by the IOC in December 2012 due to government interference in the autonomy and election of leaders not complying with Olympic charter. Fresh elections are due to take place after opening ceremony so Indian athletes will participate as independents.[62][63]

Courses adjustments

A crash in practice from Norwegian slopestyle snowboarder Torstein Horgmo, who fractured his collarbone, and complaints from other athletes that some jumps were too steep have prompted organizers to modify the slopestyle course in the week before the Games.[64] A few days later the women's downhill ski training was stopped after the opening three racers were getting too much air on the jump down the home stretch. The International Ski Federation had workers adjusting the course making it more smooth.[65]

Construction and preparation of visitor facilities

Some of the accommodations for visitors and journalists were still not complete or under construction during the week before Opening Day. Some of the attendees have reported the lack of shower curtains, that their rooms were still under construction, the lack of furnishings, water so dangerous that it was inadvisable to wash their faces with it.[66] Some hotels were still under construction.[67] The inability to flush toilet paper in the toilets is surprising to some visitors, as it is likely they have not encountered sewage systems that were overtaxed by this added sewage.[68] The state of affairs is not the worst ever, as some other Olympics have been further behind in their preparations.[69]

Skyjacking

On 7 February 2014, during the opening ceremony, a Pegasus Airlines jetliner from Ukraine to Turkey was threatened by a passenger claiming to have a bomb and wanting to hijack the plane to fly it to Sochi. It landed in Istanbul, Turkey.[70]

References

  1. ^ a b Russian Olympics clouded by 19th century deaths. Reuters. 21 March 2010
  2. ^ Johnson, Ted (24 July 2013). "Russia's Anti-Gay Laws Present Challenge for NBC's Olympics Coverage". Variety. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  3. ^ Fierstein, Harvey (21 July 2013). "Russia's Anti-Gay Crackdown". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  4. ^ "German President Boycotts Sochi Olympics Over Russia's Human Rights Violations". Towleroad.com. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  5. ^ "Olympics-EU Commissioner joins German president in Sochi snub". Sports.yahoo.com. 2013-12-10. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  6. ^ Amnesty International directors to deliver global petition to Russian President ahead of Sochi Olympics Amnesty International 27 January 2014
  7. ^ Russia: Amnesty Law no substitute for effective justice system 27 January 2014
  8. ^ The International Olympic Committee Skating on Thin Ice in Sochi Human Rights Watch January 29, 2014
  9. ^ Race to the Bottom Exploitation of Migrant Workers Ahead of Russia’s 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi Human Rights Watch February 6, 2013
  10. ^ Reporters’ Guide For Covering the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia January 13, 2014
  11. ^ Cher Snubs Anti-Gay Russia: Pop diva turns down chance to headline Sochi Olympics opening ceremony September 19, 2014
  12. ^ Andy Harley (15 March 2012). "Judge bans Winter Olympics gay Pride House". Gay Star News.
  13. ^ "Sochi 2014 Olympics Unsafe For LGBT Community Under Russia's Anti-Gay Law, Activists Warn". Ibtimes.com. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  14. ^ "Sochi Winter Olympics 2014: International Olympic Committee receives assurances on anti-gay laws". Daily Telegraph. 9 August 2013.
  15. ^ Margolin, Emma (13 August 2013). "Russia's anti-gay crackdown raises concerns for Olympics". MSNBC.
  16. ^ Reid-Smith, Treis (12 August 2013). "Olympic Committee threatens to punish athletes who fight for gay Russians".
  17. ^ "IOC Statement". Olympic.org. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  18. ^ Fifty-two Olympians urge Russia to repeal 'gay propaganda' laws, Current and former Olympians criticise Games officials and sponsors for lack of action over anti-gay measures The Guardian 30 January 2014
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  20. ^ Joshua Ostroff (6 February 2014). "t.A.T.u, Russia's Most Famous Fake Lesbians, Playing Sochi Olympics' Opening Ceremony (REPORT)". Huffington Post.
  21. ^ Natalie Finn (6 February 2014). "Makeout-Happy Russian Duo t.A.T.u. Tapped to Perform at Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony—Here's What Probably Won't Happen". E! Online.
  22. ^ Note of environmentalists against 2014 Olympics in Sochi. ikd.ru, 29 December 2006 Template:Ru icon
  23. ^ a b World heritage is in danger. Gazeta.ru, 5 July 2007 Template:Ru icon
  24. ^ Environmentalists: Kuban authorities prepare to sacrifice one more nature site for the Olympics. Kavkazsky Uzel, 18 June 2007 Template:Ru icon
  25. ^ Finn, Peter (3 July 2008). "Putin Directs Organizers of 2014 Winter Olympics to Protect Wilderness". The Washington Post.
  26. ^ Putin Says Sochi Sites Must Move – The Moscow Times
  27. ^ Putin blasts Olympics organizers for imperfect building projects[dead link] – ITAR-TASS
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  29. ^ "Associated Press, Russia Breaks 'Zero Waste' Olympic Pledge, 29 October 2013". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  30. ^ Sochi Olympics countdown sees Russia jailing second prisoner of conscience this week 5 February 2014 Amnesty International
  31. ^ RUSSIA: Civil society activist arrested ahead of start of Sochi Olympics 3 February 2014 Amnesty International
  32. ^ "Sochi company hired to kill stray dogs ahead of Olympic Games - World - CBC News". Cbc.ca. 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  33. ^ A Triumph for Putin, if Not for the Rest of a Sagging Russia] NYT 5 December 2013
  34. ^ Struggle with «olympic» swindlers in Sochi[dead link]. Strana.Ru, 19 July 2007 Template:Ru icon
  35. ^ Sochi is not a place for recreation. Gazeta.ru, 5 July 2007 Template:Ru icon
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  37. ^ Fight Against Corruption
  38. ^ Jaimoukha, Amjad. Ancient Circassian Cultures and Nations in the First Millennium BCE. Pages 1–7, 9–14
  39. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica entry for Circassians: "From ancient times Circassia, comprising roughly the northwestern region of the Caucasus, acquired the exotic reputation common to lands occupying a crucial area between rival empires..."
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  41. ^ Ellen Barry (20 May 2011). "Georgia Says Russia Committed Genocide in 19th Century".
  42. ^ Sarah A.S. Isla Rosser-Owen, MA Near and Middle Eastern Studies (thesis). The First 'Circassian Exodus' to the Ottoman Empire (1858–1867), and the Ottoman Response, Based on the Accounts of Contemporary British Observers. Page 16: "... with one estimate showing that the indigenous population of the entire north-western Caucasus was reduced by a massive 94 per cent". Text of citation: "The estimates of Russian historian Narochnitskii, in Richmond, ch. 4, p. 5. Stephen Shenfield notes a similar rate of reduction with less than 10 per cent of the Circassians (including the Abkhazians) remaining. (Stephen Shenfield, “The Circassians: A Forgotten Genocide?”, in The Massacre in History, p. 154.)"
  43. ^ Azamat Bram. Circassians Voice Olympian Anger. Institute for War and Peace Reporting Caucasus Reporting Service No. 413, 5 October 2007. Retrieved on 2 April 2010.
  44. ^ Zhemukhov, Sufian (September 2009). "The Circassian Dimension of the 2014 Sochi Olympics". PONARS Policy Memo No. 65 – Georgetown University. Circassian World. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  45. ^ "145th Anniversary of the Circassian Genocide and the Sochi Olympics Issue". Reuters. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  46. ^ a b Andrea Alexander (9 February 2010). "North Jersey Circassians 'in exile' launch Olympic protest". "NorthJersey.com"."In 1864 a group of Circassians tried to return home but were defeated in a bloody battle on a mountain that became known as "Red Hill." "That is where the ski lifts and ski events will be held, at the Red Hill," said Zack Barsik, president of the local Circassian Institute. "The Olympic events of skiing and snowboarding will be held on that same mountain."
  47. ^ Shuster, Simon (30 May 2010). "Is Sochi Safe Enough for the Olympics?". Time.
  48. ^ "Commentary: Sochi 2014: The Terrorist Threat". The National Interest. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  49. ^ "Opinion: Will Olympic Flame Dim in Sochi?". Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  50. ^ "Saudis offer Russia secret oil deal if it drops Syria". telegraph.co.uk. 2013-08-27.
  51. ^ Shuster, Simon (30 May 2010). "Is Sochi Safe Enough for the Olympics?". Time.
  52. ^ "Russia Bombings Kill 31, Raise Concern On Olympics". NPR. Associated Press. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.[dead link]
  53. ^ "Winter Olympics 2014: email threat to 'blow up' athletes at Sochi Games dismissed by IOC". Telegraph. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  54. ^ "European Olympic Committees Report Sochi Terror Threats". En.ria.ru. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  55. ^ Collantine, Keith (14 October 2010). "Russia to join F1 calendar in 2014". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  56. ^ "OMEGA". OMEGA (Developer). Retrieved 26 October 2011.[dead link]
  57. ^ "IOC threatens to postpone Russian Grand Prix". GP Update. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  58. ^ Pagan Rivera, Esteban (12 January 2014). "Kristina Krone: Quería ir a Sochi, pero nunca recibió contestación del Comité Olímpico". Primerahora (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 January 2014. Hasta que no haya un proyecto con la seriedad que requiere y una federación de deportes de invierno realmente constituida, a la cual podamos estar pendientes de ellos cada cuatro años de manera consistente, no podemos avalar{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  59. ^ "KRONE Kristina - Biographie". Data.fis-ski.com. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  60. ^ "South Africa withdraws only athlete". Associated Press. January 24, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  61. ^ Dubault, Fabrice (24 January 2014). "L'histoire invraisemblable de Mehdi Khelifi privé de J.O par l'Algérie". France 3. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  62. ^ "Shiva Kesavan hopes India's suspension lifted before Sochi Olympics". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Associated Press. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  63. ^ "Three Indians to take part in Sochi Winter Games". The Times of India. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  64. ^ "Sochi Snowboarding Course Deemed Too Dangerous After Accident". The Moscow Times. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  65. ^ "Fenninger tops in Olympic downhill training run". kansas.com. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  66. ^ "Sochi squalor: Journalists report hotel horror stories as Russians scramble to finish construction". FOX News. 5 February 2014.
  67. ^ "Winter Olympics visitors complain about Sochi 'construction sites'". The Telegraph (London). 5 February 2014.
  68. ^ Rosie DiManno (5 February 2014). "Sochi 2014 Olympics: 'Worst. Games. Ever?' No, pampered journalists should just chill: DiManno". Toronto Star.
  69. ^ Jason Blevins (7 February 2014). "Sochi organizers scramble to finish construction". Denver Post.
  70. ^ Gul Tuysuz; Michael Martinez (7 February 2014). "Official: Plane lands in Turkey after bomb threat, passenger wants to land in Sochi".

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