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Sochi Games

An activist with Reporter Without Borders, wearing a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, stands next to a giant portrait of imprisoned Russian journalist Alexei Kungurov on the Place de la Republique

Between Sochi and the World Cup, Putin built up a resistance to Western criticism over human rights

Global Politics

As Russia hosts the 2018 World Cup, it’s being condemned for many of the same human rights abuses it was criticized for in the lead-up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Now, President Vladimir Putin seems much more resistant to Western criticism.

At the all-Russian Track and Field championships in Sochi, it's a little lonely: just the athletes, coaches, and a smattering of fans. The competitors are waiting to find out if they'll be allowed to compete in Rio.

Amid a doping scandal, Russian athletes wait to hear whether they can compete in Rio

Sports