Sochi surprises with unpreparedness; games go on

The 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia have been marked by corruption, terrorist threats, and incomplete hotels with no plumbing and brown water, but nevertheless they have put on an exceptional show.
“The Olympics only come every four years and I enjoy watching all the extreme and exciting sports like half pipe and freestyles,” said sophomore Ryan Hart.
The new Olympic stadium, mountain resort, hotels, and highways were built in seven years and cost the Russian Government 51 billion dollars, more money than the London and Vancouver Games. [Not only were the Olympics tacking place in a sub-tropical war zone but also an extravagant portion of the 51 billion was missing, the cause corruption.] To add to Sochi’s problems, when reporters arrived to their hotels they found unfinished rooms with no plumbing, exposed wires, and brown tap water.
“If this happened to me I would go to the front desk and make them give me my every penny back. But you know, it is Russia so what do you expect?” said sophomore Vince Capuano.
In Sochi, 12 new events debuted including the Luge Relay, Ski Half Pipe, Women’s Ski Jump, and the Snowboard Parallel Slalom. These events have added an intriguing aspect to the games and show their ability to adapt and modernize to some of the United States’ popular extreme sports.
“I think it is cool that they are adding new events but some of them are really dangerous and that’s why Shaun White dropped out of the Men’s Snowboard Slope Style,” said junior Josh Trump.
When the Olympics start it seems that any viewer will see some record or impressive stat. This remains true with these winter Olympics. One of those astounding stats is the Netherlands dominance of the long track speed skating (winning 23 skating medals out of 24 medals) and the disappointment in Norway and the US as they failed to medal in speed skating. Even with these disappointments the US dominated in the Men’s Ski Slope Style, Snowboard Slope Style, and the Alpine Skiing Men’s Super G.
In the end, Russia won the most medals with 13 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze, while the United States placed second collecting 28. Even with a second place finish, Americans remain proud and supportive, of our nation’s athlete’s.
“USA!USA!USA!,” said sophomore Jacob Myers