Thread: Sochi 2014 - Olympic Winter Games (official site)

Originally Posted by Ramil

What's new about corruption at Olympics bid?

BBC News | World | Timeline: Olympics corruption scandal
Corruption and the Olympics

I can go on. It appears that EVERY bid the MOC ever held throughout history was corrupt, so what?

I'm not referring to pseudo-corruption, as outlined in the link you gave, but unequivocal, direct bribes. I personally believe that this is how Russian won the Olympic bid.

Incidentally, it's interesting that you directed me to the Transparency International link. Of course, in Russia TI has to designate itself a "Foreign Agent". Why is this? It was Putin's response to the US Magnitsky Bill - and we all know the profound cesspit of corruption and violence that forms the basis for the Magnitsky tragedy.

Russia is a great country. In my view, its people deserve better. I'm not convinced that the money spent on the Olympics (and the associated vast levels of bribes) could not have been more sensibly used. However, as I said before, I think the games went pretty well and I'm pleased that they've put Sochi on the map.

Originally Posted by edvalais

I'm not referring to pseudo-corruption, as outlined in the link you gave, but unequivocal, direct bribes. I personally believe that this is how Russian won the Olympic bid.

The words 'unequivocal' and 'personally believe' don't sound quite right in the same sentence. So, in case of some other Olympics games the accusations in bribery of the MOC are 'pseudo-corruption', but simply because you 'personally believe' in something makes Russia 'unequivocally' guilty. Okay

Originally Posted by edvalais

Incidentally, it's interesting that you directed me to the Transparency International link. Of course, in Russia TI has to designate itself a "Foreign Agent". Why is this?

What? Is it not true? Has Transparency International moved its HQ to Russia when I wasn't looking?
Seriously though, TI is NOT a foreign agent. It's a foreign organization. But when TI establishes in Russia something called 'Русская национальная правдивая организация' (Russian national truthful organization) for example AND ALSO this organization goes straight into the Russian politics then and only then this organization must add 'A Foreign agent' prefix to its name so that people would know that it's not in fact Russian and not in fact national. What concerns 'truthful' part - that's up to people do decide. What's wrong with this concept? I think, people are ought to know who are they listening to. Such 'agents' are not even forbidden to do politics here. They simply have to wear that 'agent' sign.

Originally Posted by edvalais

It was Putin's response to the US Magnitsky Bill - and we all know the profound cesspit of corruption and violence that forms the basis for the Magnitsky tragedy

Sergey Magnitsky's death is probably a tragedy, but such things happen. People die due to lack of medical attention (ok, even because the officials who were responsible for his continued good health in prison were corrupt). Such tragedies happen now and then around the globe but the whole matter was blown out of proportions. What I know is a) Magnitsky himself was not so 'innocent' as he's depicted in the Western media; b) Mr. William Felix Browder who was up to his ears in corrupt schemes with several high-ranked officials lost a great deal of money. It was then and only then, when Magnitsky was ordered to start throwing shit into the fan about 'thievery', etc. The problem was simple - Browder underestimated his Russian partners. He thought they were civilized enough to start throwing the shit back at him in the court, but they chose a more direct approach - no man = no problem. Personally, I believe that it was Browder who set up Magnitsky; and c) nobody would care about Magnitsky's death if Browder hadn't existed.

Originally Posted by edvalais

Russia is a great country. In my view, its people deserve better. I'm not convinced that the money spent on the Olympics (and the associated vast levels of bribes) could not have been more sensibly used. However, as I said before, I think the games went pretty well and I'm pleased that they've put Sochi on the map.

I agree with this. Olympics is pretty corrupt to begin with...

Apparently there were quite a few people, including RF citizens who would have loved to do serious damage to the games. I am glad they didn't succeed. I didn't really watch it, but it seems nothing went seriously wrong apart from that missing ring in the Olympic logo.

And yes, I think Russians need to get rid of corruption. Hard handedly if needed. Anyone who is found to take a bribe and his boss - get sent to a remote corner of Siberia, for mandatory 6 months anti-corruption training! And double it if they re-offend.
Nobody will take Russia seriously if the businessmen are one step up from a mafioso or white-collar thief, and all politicians can be bought.

And Switzerland really is a working example of democracy, I think - with the referendums.
I don't think most countries dare to have referendums though - they can't handle all that democracy... Or they only have them when they are certain what the outcome will be - such as the Scotland referendum.