Rethinking 2014 winter Olympics site
When the IOC picked Sochi as the site for the 2014 winter Olympics, it couldn’t have imagined how controversial that choice would become. Many in the West are critical of Russia’s intervention in Georgia and some in Congress are now calling for the IOC to retract its choice of Sochi as punishment. These congressmen have drafted a resolution for the IOC to pick a new site for the 2014 Games. An IOC spokesperson says the Olympics aren’t a tool to be used by politicians, but this Olympics historian says this hasn’t always been the case and the IOC has made strong political choices in the past, like banning South Africa from the Olympics because of apartheid. However he says it’s unlikely the IOC would reverse its Sochi decision. Other officials say such campaigns will make relations with Russia and the West even worse.
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.