For the IOC, allowing Sochi to host the Winter Olympics has always been plagued by controversy, what with Russia’s controversial homophobic laws, human rights record and the fact that Sochi Ski Resort has been built from scratch in a troubled area, while other already established ski resorts were overlooked.
The last decade has seen a troubled time in the Caucasus, with the recent bombings in Volograd last December claimed by an Islamist militant group from nearby Dagestan.
The militant Imarat Kavkaz group has repeatedly stated a plan to target the Games, although it is believed that so called ‘Ring of Steel’ (a standard security practice for major sporting events) being put in place by the Russian security forces will stop any protesters, peaceful or otherwise, reaching any of the games venues.
But even though an extra 37,000 troops and police have been assigned to the games, and the US have stationed two war ships in the Black sea, the Russian authorities announced, two weeks before the games start, that a 22 year old militant’s widow is believed to already be within Sochi, and planning a bomb attack.
We obviously hope that the games passes off without incident, and we are all treated to a peaceful and enjoyable winter Olympics.
Fingers crossed it could be Team GB’s most successful to date.
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