View Full Version : Would you go to the Olympics?
Not sure where to post this.
Seems like the yellow caution flags are really going up for Sochi. If I were an athlete or a family member of an athlete and was going to Sochi.......I would be very nervous.
Did they not have this kind of terrorism going on so closely, when this venue was chosen?
I think its a very scary situation for so many people.
What would you do?
No, but not because of the security threat. I don't like sports to begin with and when it is cold outside, I want to be inside under a quilt, reading a good book. Just not my thing.
I would go. I love the Olympics and would be willing to work around the political aspects that I do not agree with and to simply remain vigilant regarding the security threats in order to participate.
Regarding the security threats, I'm just hoping nothing happens (like always). It may or may not be accurate, but I have this mental picture of Putin & crew being willing to do things our leaders might not do in order to avoid the bad press of a terrorist attack. An iron fist unimpeded by conscience could be an effective deterrent.
Gregg.....I was thinking that too......about Putin and what he might do to avoid bad press.
If I were an athlete or athletic supporter I'd not be dissuaded from going because of security concerns. As Gregg mentioned I suspect that Putin will, as he told George Stephanopolous in a recent interview, "do whatever it takes" to keep the event safe. Personally i'd be much more reluctant to go because of the horrible anti-gay bigotry that's so front and center in Russia currently.
I'd go if I were competing or had a family member/friend/teammate who was. But I probably wouldn't go otherwise - but not because of any potential security threats or political stance I may disagree with, but just because I don't like watching sports, don't like the big crowds and all the hoopla, and wouldn't like all the hassle involved with going.
I only meant if you were competing in the Olympics or if you were a family member. I forget who it was, but they (an athlete), decided not to go because of the terrorist stuff.
I think I would be very worried, for a number of reasons. It would definitely be a concern.
I, too, have no interest in sporting events...except when my kids were in them.....and even then it was marginal. haha
I only meant if you were competing in the Olympics or if you were a family member. I forget who it was, but they (an athlete), decided not to go because of the terrorist stuff.
I think I would be very worried, for a number of reasons. It would definitely be a concern.
I, too, have no interest in sporting events...except when my kids were in them.....and even then it was marginal. hahaOK then yes I'd go! I don't worry at all about safety stuff or terrorist stuff so wouldn't factor in at all. And while I love sports (to play myself) and have an interest in the Olympics, I only like to watch the highlights and not the whole thing.
Personally i'd be much more reluctant to go because of the horrible anti-gay bigotry that's so front and center in Russia currently.
Same here.
I have little-to-no concern about the security situation, and I have in-country resources, but I'm still not going to attend, though I dearly love some of the sports.
iris lilies
1-20-14, 3:56pm
Same here.
I have little-to-no concern about the security situation, and I have in-country resources, but I'm still not going to attend, though I dearly love some of the sports.
Elton John has a huge following in Russia. I heard an NPR interview with him, asking him about the anti-gay thing. His response was: He's not teaching anyone anything by failing to go there to do a concert. He believes that his failure to go might cause the dominant anti-gay culture to further dig in their heels in their homophobic thoughts and actions. He says that things change a little at a time and that's how he would like to approach this issue, opening hearts and minds a little at a time. His appearances in Russia reminds people there that homosexualtiy is real and is out there and he is an ambassador for gayness.
That's fine for Elton John, since his appearance sends a message and wins hearts and minds.
Your more boring American sports fan attending the Olympics doesn't have quite the same educational effect, but does bring $$$ and support to the current Russian system. I suppose I could wear Pride shirts, and see where that gets me... No thanks.
ApatheticNoMore
1-20-14, 4:55pm
I think the rest of the world should have boycotted olympics in the u.s. being that the country killed millions of iraqis in a war of agression (and still regularly bombs wedding parties all over the middle east). Who really wants to support that? I wouldn't.
Miss Cellane
1-20-14, 5:28pm
Cathy, are you referring to the reports of a woman who may be trying to organize a "terrorist event" at the Olympics? Or is there something new that I've missed?
My feeling is that the Olympics attract people who are trying to make a statement on a global level. Remember the bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta? Or what happened in Munich in 1972?
The risk has been around for a long, long, time. It's nothing new.
The Olympic village is pretty well guarded. It has to be, with all the crackpots out there. And no host country wants to be the country where there was a terrorist action and tourists or athletes get killed. I don't think the risk of terrorist action is any higher at this Olympics than previous ones.
The Olympic village is pretty well guarded. It has to be, with all the crackpots out there. And no host country wants to be the country where there was a terrorist action and tourists or athletes get killed. I don't think the risk of terrorist action is any higher at this Olympics than previous ones.
Oh I don't know about that. The previous events you referenced were surprises. In this case, two people believed to be responsible for two separate suicide bombing events in Russia have gone public with their threat to go after Olympic spectators in Sochi.
http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/01/sochi-terror-threat/357183/
In the video, two men in street clothes — who are believed to have carried out twin suicide attacks in Volgograd last month — promised "a surprise package" for Olympics spectators, adding, "If it happens [the Olympics], we'll have a surprise for you. This is for all the Muslim blood that is shed every day around the world, be it in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, all around the world. This will be our revenge."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6v3DhjNX0&feature=player_embedded
new2oregon
1-20-14, 8:13pm
I would go to the olympics if it was affordable but its out of my simple lifestyle. I think it would be fun.
Miss Cellane
1-21-14, 9:26am
Oh I don't know about that. The previous events you referenced were surprises. In this case, two people believed to be responsible for two separate suicide bombing events in Russia have gone public with their threat to go after Olympic spectators in Sochi.
http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/01/sochi-terror-threat/357183/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6v3DhjNX0&feature=player_embedded
Why would they warn people? This could be a diversion. Get the authorities looking for these people, while another, real, attack takes place somewhere else.
I guess I just feel that terrorism is always a threat at large events such as the Olympics, whether or not an announcement of intent is made. So these specific threats wouldn't deter me, if I had decided to attend.
If the two men were responsible for previous suicide bombings and then made a video wouldn't that indicate they weren't very successful? :doh:
ToomuchStuff
1-21-14, 3:54pm
Why would they warn people? This could be a diversion. Get the authorities looking for these people, while another, real, attack takes place somewhere else.
Spreading fear, is a part of terrorism, beside the logical diversion you mentioned.
My boss and his best friend were at the 96 Olympics. His best friend (I was told, didn't see the passport), went to one years ago, that we boycotted.
Have a friend that was in the last one and training for the next, but I still wouldn't go. I'd be the one to stay behind and keep things running, so others could go.
Gardenarian
1-21-14, 6:31pm
I would go, if I had any desire to do so.
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