Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

[dps]

#2. Sochi Will Be the Most Unfun Olympics Ever for Visitors

For all the money Russia spent, they might not even be able to fill the stands. With just a few weeks to go before the Olympics, only 70 percent of the tickets have been sold (for comparison, 97 percent of the tickets in the Vancouver Olympics were sold, and that was in Vancouver). Add that to the Russian people's characteristic don't-give-a-fuck quality, and these might be the blandest Olympics ever.

Not sure that poorer attendance would make it less fun for those actually there.  Less crowding, and less stress on the transportation system, etc.,  overall, it might be more fun that way.

[DontSayBanana]

Not sure that poorer attendance would make it less fun for those actually there.  Less crowding, and less stress on the transportation system, etc.,  overall, it might be more fun that way.

Down around 80-85%, maybe, but at 70% you're hovering just above "look left, look right- one of those seats will be empty" territory.

[Admiral Yi]

I'm through about Spain on a tape delay of the opening ceremony, and so far Bosnia of all countries is dominating the hottie competition.

[Tonitrus]

If Ide were watching the Opening Ceremony portion showing the Soviet period...he'd spooge. 

[DGuller]

Holy shit.  That's seriously fucking impressive.

Looks like somebody wasn't being very careful with the sickle.

[Josquius]

 I'm all for gay rights and hating Putin and all that...but its really getting me how there is so much fuss about it with these olympics where you didn't quite see the same level of protest levelled at the considerably worse way China treats lots of its people.
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[DGuller]

Waitwhat?  NBC is advertising rt.com?   

[Syt]

Scenes from the "industrialization" part of the historical overview. Not pictured: starving Ukrainians.

[Capetan Mihali]

I watched the whole thing and it was great. 

[Valmy]

Well European Nationalists generally are pretty terrible people in general.  They have quite a nasty trackrecord.

Anyway what is wrong with thinking the opening ceremonies were great?  I am glad those billions of dollars bought something.

[fhdz]

Well European Nationalists generally are pretty terrible people in general.  They have quite a nasty trackrecord.

Anyway what is wrong with thinking the opening ceremonies were great?  I am glad those billions of dollars bought something.

They could have bought some walls for the bathroom stalls. Even flimsy ones.

[Queequeg]

I watched the whole thing and it was great. 

Man, it's kind of awesome that that's the consensus. 

[Liep]

The slopestyle final is great, but that Norwegian guy was robbed, he clearly had the best run.

[Liep]

So I like the CBC website, but the female speedskating commentator is annoying as hell. High pitched Canadian = 

[dps]

Well European Nationalists generally are pretty terrible people in general.  They have quite a nasty trackrecord.

Anyway what is wrong with thinking the opening ceremonies were great?  I am glad those billions of dollars bought something.

They could have bought some walls for the bathroom stalls. Even flimsy ones.

If I were actually there, I'd agree.  But as part of the TV audience, a good opening ceremony benefits us more.