Putin on a show...

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games have begun in the Russian coastal city of Sochi. They will last 16 days. 2,871 athletes will be competing in 98 events. 88 countries are taking part.

There are several controversies surrounding the games:

• there have been accusations of corruption (these are the most costly games ever: $31 billion!);
• there have been threats of terrorist attacks (the security force is 50,000-strong!);
• there have been calls to boycott the Games because of Russia’s attitude over Gay rights.

To gain support among world leaders,Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, freed 20,000 prisoners in the run-up to the Olympics, including the Arctic 30 and members of Pussy Riot. And now, thanks to the Olympic Games, Putin hopes to continue building bridges with the rest of the world...

Questions/to do:

1. Do you like watching the Olympic Games?
2. Describe and comment the editorial cartoon.
3. Why have these games cost so much?
4. Who are the terrorists that the organizers are afraid of (what do they want)?
5. What is Russia's attitude to Gay rights?
6. Who are the Arctic 30 and Pussy Riot (why were they put in prison)?
7. Do you think these games should be boycotted (why)?

Assignment:

1. Research the background story of the Sochi Olympics (since 2007).
2. Research Sochi and its people.
3. Write an article for the blog Be a sport! on one of the controversies surrounding the 2014 games, stating your opinion.
4. Watch the documentary Miracle on Ice.
5. Research the Winter Olympic Games during the Cold War period.