As Russia gears up to host its first Winter Olympics since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the question has to be asked: why were the Olympics given to a city surrounded by so much controversy?
It seems every international sporting event in the modern era is flooded by its own issues, whether this be the economic status of the host country as the event draws nearer, or concerns of whether or not facilities and construction will be completed in time to the quality which we expect. But Sochi has more than the standard problems – the biggest question is where on earth to start?
Sochi is not the safest of cities, especially right now. In fact, it wasn’t always Russian territory; in fact it used to belong to a race called the Circassians up until 1864. This was until the Russian-Circassian war, where 1.4million Circassians were left dead, deported, or simply disappeared – a large number made worse by the fact that this was roughly 90-94% of the entire Circassian population.
Circassian organisations are unhappy that the games will be held on land that was theirs since records began. The games are seen as particularly offensive due to the fact they will fall on the 150th anniversary of what the Circassians consider genocide.
Furthermore, they are unhappy about the use of the land. Skiing and snowboarding will be held on ‘Red Hill,’ called so as, when a group of Circassians tried to return home in 1864, they were massacred. Using ‘Red Hill’ seems like a complete disregard to the feelings of the Circassians and is incredibly offensive. An eyebrow would surely be raised if Gettysburg hosted the modern pentathlon or there was sailing down at Pearl Harbour – it’s simply disrespectful.
Given Russia’s track record, there is cause for concern. Everyone will remember the war that broke out between Russia and Georgia at the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics – completely against the Olympic spirit.
There could be a solution, however. Russia could learn from previous host nations such as the United States or Australia, who incorporated the culture of their indigenous population into the event’s format. It may not solve all the problems, but it would certainly improve the situation.
Yet, with the constant threat of car bombings, local mafia groups, Russian nationalists, separatists and Islamists, it seems peace is far from reachable. Oleg Nechiporenko, chief analyst for Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist and Anti-Criminal Fund, said of Sochi: “The region is such a muddied and bloodied aquarium of conflict that to pick out any one fish is impossible.”
With this much concern over basic safety in the region, why would the IOC send a group of people with such a mix of cultures and beliefs to a city with so much cultural friction as it is?
Friction is certainly something the LGBT community must be feeling right now too. Homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in Russia in 1999 (well done Russia), but there is a law that bans the distribution of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” to minors. Since, gay rights activists have been arrested and there has been a surge of hate crimes related to homophobia. So much for the Olympic spirit trying to promote the participation of all.
Pride House was established in Vancouver 2010 and has been (and will be) at every major sporting event since. The purpose of Pride House is to welcome and celebrate LGBT athletes. In all honesty, this seems comprehensively patronising. Well done for being gay – how condescending. Unfortunately, we do live in a society where this is necessary because we haven’t created a sense of welcome towards the LGBT community, especially in the sporting industry.
Russia’s Ministry of Justice actually struck down an attempt to obtain Pride House for Sochi 2014. There have been assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that they are committed to the Olympic charter and welcome LGBT athletes. This shouldn’t need to be said, but, in these circumstances, it kind of does.
This still seems an uphill task when the judge who denied Pride House openly said: “Pride House incites propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation which can undermine the security of the Russian society and the state, provoke social-religious hatred, which is the feature of the extremist character of the activity.”
There are so many things wrong with that statement. Adding the issues regarding homophobia to the already significant list of problems is like adding a handful of chillies to a vindaloo.
Environmental and construction concerns, a faltering economy, political instability, corruption, the fear of safety, the danger of war, social-religious hatred. And if you want one more legitimate, terrifying cause for concern about this event, take a look at this article from The Telegraph.
This is where the IOC deemed to be the best place to hold a major sporting event? What’s next, giving Russia the World Cup? Oh, wait…
Jordan Edgington, Sports Team
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