new thread
Hey,
Well as the title suggests, the 2014 winter Olympics will be in Sochi!
The strange thing was that in the first round of votes, more had voted for Pyeongchang, but after Salzburg was kicked out, the second round proved significantly different.
The reason I support this place so much is because of its unique climate. It's mostly a summer resort city with the most fabulous beaches and Spas, but drive 25km up into the mountains and you're guaranteed top notch (real) snow and ski resorts throughout the winter. The best is ofcourse standing on the mountains and looking down at the beaches and oceans below.
Maybe if by that time I can get enough money saved up, I may just go. I was there three years ago during the summer and it was great :) Just remind me in 7 years to take lots of pics lol.
Staying up at night for the results was worth it :D
P.S. Sorry to any South Koreans or Austrians here.
Well as the title suggests, the 2014 winter Olympics will be in Sochi!
The strange thing was that in the first round of votes, more had voted for Pyeongchang, but after Salzburg was kicked out, the second round proved significantly different.
The reason I support this place so much is because of its unique climate. It's mostly a summer resort city with the most fabulous beaches and Spas, but drive 25km up into the mountains and you're guaranteed top notch (real) snow and ski resorts throughout the winter. The best is ofcourse standing on the mountains and looking down at the beaches and oceans below.
Maybe if by that time I can get enough money saved up, I may just go. I was there three years ago during the summer and it was great :) Just remind me in 7 years to take lots of pics lol.
Staying up at night for the results was worth it :D
P.S. Sorry to any South Koreans or Austrians here.
But at what expense?
The russians want to spend something like 13bn$'s on the event and of course the sites are going to be built on so far untouched nature.
Though I hope the olympics will certainly promote the region I doubt they'll manage to improve the regions long term prospect. It would be better to invest that money directly in the infrastructure, education, healthcare, and so on.
I see what you're saying. Thankfully I actually read the IOC report on the three cities so I know my numbers :) Austria was planning to spend 80 million dollars, Korea 0.7$bn, and Russia 3.6 $bn. That's on the actual Olympic related cites, stadiums, media hotel, etc. 11 sites in total.
The figure you mention of 13 $bn is actually 12 $bn, and is the total amount invested in the city as part of the government's development plan from 2006-14. The 8.4 $bn remaining are investments in infrastructure such as transport, renovation of urban areas, as well as new hotels (which increase its capacity as a year round resort). So it's generally a good idea.
You also mention the damage that will happen to the environment. In effect, the damaged area will be the Sochi National Park and the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCOWorld Heritage site). Hence, a fair part of the funds (not mentioned in the report how much exactly) will be allocated to various environmental projects to compensate for the damage to the environment. Btw, most of the sites will not actually be built on untouched areas. About 20-30% will be.
So as you can see, most of the budget for the preparation will actually go to the development and renovation of Sochi itself, both as a resort and a residential area, and will benefit it greatly.
But yeh, i'm under no illusion that the huge funds promised by the government are what made them win.
I see what you're saying. Thankfully I actually read the IOC report on the three cities so I know my numbers :) Austria was planning to spend 80 million dollars, Korea 0.7$bn, and Russia 3.6 $bn. That's on the actual Olympic related cites, stadiums, media hotel, etc. 11 sites in total.
(...)
But yeh, i'm under no illusion that the huge funds promised by the government are what made them win.
OK, that does make it sound a bit better, but that huge sum does leave a bitter feeling.
Austria has already had the olympics twice so they shouldn't moan too much about their lost bid.
I fully support the IOC in rewarding developing regions and countries with the olympics, but which other country that doesn't sit on top of a huge oilfield could have competed with that bid?
America, perhaps some other richer countries, but yeh, that's the unfortunate truth. It was in effect a bribe. Because of course the IOC and other Olympic managers/committees get a part of the funds one way or another. And the bigger the funds, the more they get :/
When I heard about this, I had no idea Sochi was in the Caucasus. I imagined it would be in the Urals, but I suppose it's good to learn something each day.
By 2014, maybe I can have enough money saved up too. I've always wanted to visit Russia anyway.
See you there? HA!
Lol, that ought to be fun :P