Good news on Bolland though, but I suspect he is still a long ways away even if he is skating. I would love to see a full line up just once this season, at the very least.
- systemtool

After the olympics. I think that was always the target.

6-1 Leafs...
- Fruitcakenipple

bumhole.

These security risks are being sensationalized and blow out of proportion. Somebody actually detonated a bomb at the Olympic Park in 1996, and there were tons of security threats surrounding the 2002 games right after 9/11.
- 1979AD

See that's what I'm trying to find out. The issues with the World Cup are well documented, but it seems like Sochi seems to have something new come up every week.

bumhole.
- Feeling Glucky?

What!

And?

Look at the question I asked. What kind of due-diligence is being done that allows these countries to win these bids in the first place.

(I don't know much about the details of the bids but I have to assume it goes beyond the highest bidder)
- markmark

I just tend to believe it comes down to money. These things (problems) can be overlooked with enough money in the right pockets

These security risks are being sensationalized and blow out of proportion. Somebody actually detonated a bomb at the Olympic Park in 1996, and there were tons of security threats surrounding the 2002 games right after 9/11.
- 1979AD

Russia is pretty much what hell really would be like... not hot... cold, dark, and populated with Adam French.

See that's what I'm trying to find out. The issues with the World Cup are well documented, but it seems like Sochi seems to have something new come up every week.
- markmark

Our mainstream media outlets are gov't lapdogs and any negativity about Russia will be exaggerated and sensationalized.

What!
- Fruitcakenipple

Russia is pretty much what hell really would be like... not hot... cold, dark, and populated with Adam French.
- Feeling Glucky?

I couldn't find an emoticon for *shudder*

And?

Look at the question I asked. What kind of due-diligence is being done that allows these countries to win these bids in the first place.

(I don't know much about the details of the bids but I have to assume it goes beyond the highest bidder)
- markmark

If you want a good read and are willing to have a full-on hate for the Olympics for the rest of your life, I recommend reading this:

http://www.amazon.com/The...-Corruption/dp/0671855719

I just tend to believe it comes down to money. These things (problems) can be overlooked with enough money in the right pockets
- senstroll

Yea that's what it seems like.

I just did a quick browse around on what these "threats" are and found stuff like this:

Concern about potential attacks on the Winter Games, which will run from Feb. 7 to Feb. 23, has heightened in the wake of three suicide bombings since Oct. 15 that killed more than 30 people in the city of Volgograd, roughly 500 miles from Sochi. Earlier this month reports emerged about the possible presence of female “black widow” suicide bombers in Sochi, though the reports, which U.S. officials learned of through the media, have not been corroborated.

Definitely seems like a matter of "be cautious" but the media is being the media and making it a big deal.

These security risks are being sensationalized and blow out of proportion. Somebody actually detonated a bomb at the Olympic Park in 1996, and there were tons of security threats surrounding the 2002 games right after 9/11.
- 1979AD

Sensationalized?? There have been documented proof that groups have made threats about the olympics and actual attacks have taken place like 40 mins from the games....I'd hardly call that blown out of proportion.

If you want a good read and are willing to have a full-on hate for the Olympics for the rest of your life, I recommend reading this:

http://www.amazon.com/The...-Corruption/dp/0671855719
- Atomic Wedgie

I'd rather just watch some world-elite hockey and buy some wool Canada mittens for my daughters.

Our mainstream media outlets are gov't lapdogs and any negativity about Russia will be exaggerated and sensationalized.
- 1979AD

It's not a media thing... it's a Russia being Russia thing.

Their president is former KGB, and gamed the system to basically allow himself to stay in power indefinitely, while funneling the country's money into his own bank account, and letting the orthodox church have it's run of things.

Sensationalized?? There have been documented proof that groups have made threats about the olympics and actual attacks have taken place like 40 mins from the games....I'd hardly call that blown out of proportion.
- burn

An actual bomb was detonated at the actual olympics in Atlanta and we weren't as shocked and concerned after that then we are now about this.

Kadri to Pittsburgh, what a (frank)ing joke.

What!
- Fruitcakenipple

every time without fail...... never gets old!

Our mainstream media outlets are gov't lapdogs and any negativity about Russia will be exaggerated and sensationalized.
- 1979AD

The Atlanta Olympics were the worst Olympics ever.

But Coke rolled in and declared it a smashing success, the the US press played along.

I'd rather just watch some world-elite hockey and buy some wool mittens for my daughters.
- 1979AD

this generation of mittens suck

If you want a good read and are willing to have a full-on hate for the Olympics for the rest of your life, I recommend reading this:

http://www.amazon.com/The...-Corruption/dp/0671855719
- Atomic Wedgie

you mean to tell me.. that where billions of dollars are involved there is corruption!?

its a no brainer. nothing worth any amount of money is honest.. plain and simple

I just tend to believe it comes down to money. These things (problems) can be overlooked with enough money in the right pockets
- senstroll

this is it exactly

It's not a media thing... it's a Russia being Russia thing.

Their president is former KGB, and gamed the system to basically allow himself to stay in power indefinitely, while funneling the country's money into his own bank account, and letting the orthodox church have it's run of things.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'm not here defending the ex KGB, current Old Spice Man and dictator in disguise. At the same time, I believe our media is trying to leverage everything they can to make us hate Putin and Mother Russia. Not exactly unbiased coverage.

An actual bomb was detonated at the actual olympics in Atlanta and we weren't as shocked and concerned after that then we are now about this.
- 1979AD

A lot has changed since 96...

The Atlanta Olympics were the worst Olympics ever.

But Coke rolled in and declared it a smashing success, the the US press played along.
- Atomic Wedgie

The advertising cash fueled media perpetuates the spin dictated by one of the country's biggest advertisers.... and there's only corruption in Sochi.

An actual bomb was detonated at the actual olympics in Atlanta and we weren't as shocked and concerned after that then we are now about this.
- 1979AD

I don't think anyone played that off like it was nothing at the time. It was a shocking event, precisely because people didn't see it coming.

Here, we know it's an unstable region rife with corruption and human rights abuses.

Forget the danger to the athletes for a second, there is no reason a country like Russia should have the Olympic games. You'd be hard pressed to find a country that fits the Olympic spirit less.