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Volume 126 Issue 75
kansan.com
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
WINTER OLYMPICS
SENTIMENTS ON SOCHI
University professors talk security, politics and conditions of the 2014 Olympics
KATE MILLER
news@kansan.com
After the first week of the 2014 Winter Olympics, social and political issues surrounding the games have received international attention. Security, President Vladimir Putin's politics and inadequate housing for journalists are at the height of the Olympics scrutiny. University of Kansas professors at the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (CREES) gave insight on some of these issues.
Sochi security
Security is as vital as ever in these Olympic Games, with attacks in surrounding areas and reports inspiring an increased level of security for airlines into Sochi. However, security concerns may not be as threatening as they appear to be.
sians are not alone in attempting to contain these threats.
ing to contribute these efforts. Mikkel Hikkelsen, a professor of CREES, explained that international forces are joining together to provide security for these games, creating a safer environment for all involved.
"Of course, there will be lots of security concerns, but there is no way to assess the magnitude of the threats," said Mariya Omelicheva, associate professor and director of CREES. "The
Visiting Fulbright scholar and professor Dr. Valeriy Khan, an Uzbekistan native and Korean-Russian, said security is as
and they are demanding their rights and equal treatment, and they are much farther away from getting that than they are in the United States." Khan explained that the anti-gay legislation is not as severe as Western media has portrayed it to be. The laws specifically refer to "pro-gay propaganda" that can reach children.
"This is not an anti-gay law,"
"If anything, Sochi unites the Russians...It stirs up their patriotism and nationalism."
MARIYA OMELICHEVA associate professor and director of CREES
difficult to measure in Russia as it is anywhere else in the world.
Political controversy
Another area of concern for international viewers is Russian President Vladimir Putin's anti-gay legislation. These strict laws have inspired boycotting by some organizations, while others have blatantly flaunted
he said. "It doesn't mean that gays cannot participate in the Olympic Games. If you're an adult, you can do what you want, but you have no right to make that kind of propaganda among children. There is no discrimination." Khan explained that the situation of gay people in Russia is not as drastic as it appears.
and actually improves Putin's rankings, because he comes across as a strong man who is able to stand up to the Western media's criticisms. He hasn't had this level of approval among Russians since his first couple of years as president."
Mikkelsen also said the Russian people see the Sochi Olympics as a way to reclaim their status as a major player in international politics.
"One of the most important reasons, in the Russians' minds, when they started making plans for the Winter Olympics was to, number one, re-establish Russia's prestige in the world. Russians have a kind of inferiority complex when it comes to being compared with the United States, particularly."
Housing and construction concerns
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Part of this media criticism has arisen out of the inadequate living conditions of international journalists covering the games. Photos and videos of unfinished hotel rooms in Sochi have flood-
SOCHI Q&A
Egor Agafonov is a native Russian and current MBA candidate at the University of Kansas. Agafonov was born in Tolyiatt in the Volga River region, moved to the U.S. in 2006 and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University in 2009. He competed for the Kansas track and field team, earning a national title in the hammer throw. After returning to Russia for three years, he returned to Lawrence to further his education.
Egor Agafonov
Q: As an athlete and a Russian, what is your opinion on the political and social issues surrounding the Sochi Olympic Games?
A: I'm trying not to concentrate on them. I know that there's always some noise around any athletic events. Personally, I'm trying to support the athletes, because I know how hard it is to qualify for the Olympics, and it's their holiday, so they should enjoy their presence over there. It's an honor to be able to compete for their countries.
Q: How do you feel about Russia's performance and how the Russian athletes are presenting themselves so far in the games?