Really, Sochi?!

Now that the 2014 Winter Olympics is in full swing in Sochi, Russia, let's have a nice little recap about all the ups and downs and upside downs of it. 


Hotel Rooms...

You would think that with $51 billion, Sochi could at least get itself some good hotels, pillows, and a well-equipped Olympic Village. But no, you thought wrong. Sochi's hotels for journalists and athletes alike are still un-finished, bursting with construction noise day and night. There's potentially toxic water flowing from the hotels, and water that's almost yellow. There are no curtains, no floors, no Wi-fi, no heat, no safe drinking water, no hot water (or water that's clean for that matter), and no extra keys. There's a lack of beds and even the world's best and richest athletes have to squeeze onto twin-sized beds or share a bed. And then there are the broken lifts that strand Olympians in the middle of the building, double-toilets, and doors with doorknobs that don't work. And the extreme shortage of pillows for unexpected athletes at the Winter Olympics. Here's a nice little tweet for ya: "Most people lay their head down on a pillow and dream of someday being an Olympian. Olympians lay their head down and dream of someday having a pillow." And who can forget the American bobsledder Johnny Quinn who pushed down his bathroom door because he was trapped inside without a phone that could call? (3 days later, he got stuck in an elevator, the poor guy). C'mon Sochi, at least get your Olympians somewhere nice to sleep. 

Johnny Quinn stuck in an elevator & his broken bathroom door

Stray Dogs?

I really did not expect this, but Sochi has a problem with stray dogs. As these strays wander around Sochi, they have wandered into the Opening Ceremony and barked at visitors. The City Hall even ordered the killings of the strays so they "wouldn't bother visitors." However, many athletes have taken a liking to the pups and have ordered vaccinations, medical appointments, and kennel space for them. A few are even trying to bring them home, and so can you! (visit http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/how-to-adopt-a-sochi-stray-dog--tips-from-the-humane-society-international-155456535.html)

Strays at Sochi's Olympic Park

The Opening Ceremony:

Overlook a few small yet drastic failures, and the Opening Ceremony was pretty amazing. The Russians, very proud of their heritage, put on a spectacular performance celebrating their history. Happily, little inflated onion domes like those St. Basil's Cathedral dance around.

Dancers in front of the onion domes of the Russian Orthodox Church.

After, some of the world's best ballet dancers from the Bolshoi and Mariinsky come together to perform Tolstoy's "War and Peace".

Ballet at Sochi

And then a little disturbance from the hijack attempt to Sochi from Ukraine. Then, the usual parade of athletes, an Austrian who fell on his face on his way down the ramp, and Bermudans in their Bermuda shorts in 6 degree weather. Completely normal. Real snowflakes and 5 large digital snowflakes float down over the performers, and the 5 are supposed to transform into the Olympic rings. A neat idea, and pretty cool, when it actually works. (Only 4 transform, but they photoshop-ed it in the Russian broadcast). 

4/5 snowflakes transform into the Olympic rings...

A 10-year old girl named Lyubov (Russian for "love") recites the Cyrillic alphabet with the name of an influential Russian for each letter. She then floats through her dream, suspended by wires hung from the huge Fisht Stadium. 

We are shown a beautiful snow scene, with an impressive choir. Then, the Russian army sings their rendition of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky". I'll just say it was interesting...
Overall, the Opening Ceremony was spectacular- with great dancers, actors, singers, and performers. (just overlook that one snowflake ;) 

Sochi's 3 cute-yet-creepy mascots

Have fun watching the 2014 Winter Olympics! Leave a comment below on how you think the sports or anything from the Olympics are going.

Thanks for reading,
Liv