Post: #1

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/215...ew-castles

Quote:Sochi has already set one record. At an estimated cost of $50 billion, these will be the most expensive games in history.

Quote:The quality of the work is patchy. The ski jump has been redone many times, and the cost has risen sevenfold. Newly laid sewage pipes have burst, so a nasty smell drifts over a kindergarten playground. Sea-coast fortifications cracked soon after installation. The work has been carried out with little concern for the environment. The river flowing into the Black Sea has been polluted by construction waste and protected forests have been cut down. A green whistle-blower was prosecuted and chased out of Russia.

Quote:In its bid for the games, the Russian government said it provides “a stable political and economic environment in order to improve and enhance [the people’s] quality of life. The government is based on free and open elections, freedom of expression and a constitutionally guaranteed balance of power.”

By the way, Russia plans on increasing taxes. I wonder why...

Post: #2

yes but 30 of the 50 billion is "missing"

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics--r...33724.html

Post: #3

It's ironic, the people who are calling for investigations are usually people who benefited from this mess.

We have a saying in Russia, "Не наебёшь, не проживёшь". It basically means that if you aren't corrupt, then you won't live long/live a good life.

It's unfortunate that many people in Russia have this mentality. It trickles down from Putin, to the oligarchs, to the local government and eventually to the "gruschiki" (people who load and unload things).

Post: #4

The IOC is a corrupt game, you have to loot and steal to play. The IOC has shifted into praying on these BRICS/newly established nations because the West is to tapped out and broke to exploit anymore. London was the straw that broke the camels back, and after those games the whole idea of the "games" themselves was done. You couldn't hide it anymore, it's now just a money pit for all the shady characters from Government, construction, military/police, and 'sport' to enrich themselves.

No reason the winter games which are smaller in scope then a NCAA Basketball tourney to cost 50billion. I believe London cost $18 billion (USD), Sochi blew this out of the water but wait until Rio or a Gulf nation down the road to host.

Post: #5

(07-12-2013 10:19 AM)kosko Wrote:  The IOC is a corrupt game, you have to loot and steal to play. The IOC has shifted into praying on these BRICS/newly established nations because the West is to tapped out and broke to exploit anymore. London was the straw that broke the camels back, and after those games the whole idea of the "games" themselves was done. You couldn't hide it anymore, it's now just a money pit for all the shady characters from Government, construction, military/police, and 'sport' to enrich themselves.

No reason the winter games which are smaller in scope then a NCAA Basketball tourney to cost 50billion. I believe London cost $18 billion (USD), Sochi blew this out of the water but wait until Rio or a Gulf nation down the road to host.

$50b is ridiculously, but I really don't get the point of your march madness comparison. One is an annual single sport tourny, played in established professional arenas, the other is a one off multi sport event.