The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics opened this morning, with 15 New Zealanders set to compete at the games in the Russian seaside city.
Photo: Unknown
Eyebrows have been raised at the futuristic “digital branding” design of the Sochi games. It’s the first time a logo has lacked drawn elements, a choice that the Olympic Organizing Committee says “reflects the strategic vision… to host the most innovative Games in history, which reflect the character of the new Russia and deliver positive, sustainable change.”
Despite claims for “sustainable change” the games have been mired with controversy over motorways and train lines being built at the expense of neighbouring communities and a nature reserve with world heritage status.
Meanwhile, Russian leader Vladimir Putin was recently photographed cuddling a baby leopard at a new leopard preserve created to restore the population of the Persian leopard. Putin said, “Let’s say that because of the Olympic Games, we have restored parts of the destroyed nature.”
The games are an opportunity to show Russia in a new light on the world stage. However, in what is being interpreted as an unofficial act of silent protest against Russia’s anti-gay laws, no western leaders will be attending this Friday’s opening ceremony.
The cost of the games has also been a topic of great contention with accusations of waste and corruption being outed in a recent Bloomberg Businessweek feature. The initial budget of $12 billion has spiralled to $51 billion, with much of that amount being used to transform the tropical beach holiday destination on the Black Sea coast without a single ski run, into an Olympic winter sports venue. By comparison, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver was $1.5 billion, making Sochi by far the most costly games in history.
Many journalists sent to cover the games are also complaining of inadequate accommodation.
Let the games begin.