Poll: Relocate or Boycott the Olympics?

Devon

Petitions are going around the web, begging the Olympic committee to relocate the Olympics to Vancouver where they held the games three and a half years ago. But with six months until the games, I find it hilarious that people even think of a city taking on such a massive worldwide event in so little time.

I find it would be more effective to boycott the Olympics. The US and other countries boycotted the Summer Olympics in 1980 in Russia, I don't see why we can't do the same. We're so worried about "relocating", why can't we focus on boycotting which would be much more effective?

In my opinion, there are a whole myriad of reasons why the Games will not be relocated. Global News made some points:

Quote:

Considering the scope of the event, even for the most recent Winter Games host city with pre-existing sport venues, a six month period to organize and prepare for the Games is just not possible. This would require reconverting facilities into Olympic venues, assembling a large workforce of full-time staff and volunteers, acquiring the funding needed to cover operational expenses of the event, planning the logistical operations of the Games and its security, and a few thousand other on-the-ground “repeat” host city reasons that include booking tens of thousands of hotel rooms, changing travel plans for the media, athletes, spectators, allocate and sell millions of event tickets, etc. Even for the countries known for their stellar efficiency, with six months to go it would not be possible at all to deliver.

For the IOC, short of an aggressor country committing genocide or a full all-out-war on another country, it would set precedent that it would be willing to [officially] politicize the Olympic Games. This is not a precedent the IOC, from its business and operational point of view, would want to set for its future events. The Olympic Games should be about sport and friendly competition first and foremost.

Billions in sponsorship and television rights revenue could be jeopardized with such a colossal 11th hour change of the host city. It would be a legal nightmare.

The Russian government has spent an estimated US $50-billion on the Sochi region to prepare the urban area of 350,000 to host the 2014 Winter Games. That figure is more than ten times the budget allocated by the three levels of government for Vancouver 2010, and it is even more than what China spent for Beijing 2008. Some of Russia’s wealthiest corporations and oligarchs have also invested heavily into the Sochi region and the 2014 Winter Games. The geopolitical and economic repercussions would be staggering if the Games were relocated (or canceled entirely) with Sochi 2014 Games preparation and organization so far in advance.

What do you think?

Honey

The Russians aren't serious about arresting all the gay athletes.

Callum

Boycotting would be a significantly more symbolic gesture and it's one I'd really support. Russia needs to see that the rest of the world, from both a social and political perspective, isn't going to look the other way as they GROSSLY condone the abuse and public shaming of gays.

Retro

I advocate a relocation, no matter how "hilarious" some may find it. Whether or not Russian authorities can and will actually arrest LGBT athletes in competition, it's a serious problem for Russia to have these laws in place and for other countries to simply look the other way. A boycott would also suffice, but I'd rather that be a last resort as it will result in very little participation if major countries join in the boycott, and all the athletes deserve to compete - albeit in a safer and less hostile environment.

BoyOnBoy Wonder

I'm for relocation. These athletes have been training for so long and shouldn't have to be worrying about ******** like the Russian legal system.

Hollywood.

It's far too late to relocate the games. I'm all for Vancouver hosting again, but there is no way they would be ready (unless they've been quietly told to prepare in the off chance.) in time.

Boycotting / or even showing up and protestign would be the better option.

Troye

Boycotting is a much more practical option at this point. Relocating is a logistical nightmare that is IMPOSSIBLE to achieve in the amount of time that is left until the games are to begin.

If this happened a year or two ago, it would have been a big maybe. And more importantly, if the issues in Russia ARE that important to protest, then athletes and everyone else can afford to miss one Winter Olympics.

BBathHausOfGaga

It's way too late to relocate. Boycotting is the only choice

Wafflecakes

Too late, and a boycott isn't going to happen.

If anything I think they should just threaten a boycott to bring more attention to the issue.

MrDeeds

Are there even gay athletes going? Serious question.

rawwritsmikey

Relocation isn't even an option, and boycotting will barely do anything cause it's Russia.

Wafflecakes

Quote:

Originally posted by MrDeeds

Are there even gay athletes going? Serious question.

Pretty sure figure skating is still any Olympic sport

Funhouse

Neither is going to happen. Relocating is just plain impossible and I don't think any athlete would be willing to boycott after they dedicated their entire life and all of their money on this. The best thing to do raising awareness on what's going on in Russia and letting Russia know that the world is whatching.

Quote:

Originally posted by MrDeeds

Are there even gay athletes going? Serious question.

American figure skater Johnny Weir is gay and Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst is bisexual. Those are the ones I know of but there's probably more.

DvnR

I'm skeptical of whether or not Russia will truly arrest gay athletes. I feel like it's more of a scare tactic than anything, which is still absolutely shameful. I wish it could relocate, but it's pretty much impossible to do so at this point.. not because of Russia already working on it, but because if we changed places, we would essentially need to build/plan out a second Winter Olympics in just a few months.

Forevermore

Neither.

They're not going to change the Olympics because of this.

Mellark

But its too late to relocate it and the planning takes a lot of time. But regardless if I hear a story about a person who is a part or in the LGBT community then I guess the IOC won't consider Russia a home of a Olympic venue ever again unless the IOC is supporting them or something.

jax.

Boycott! Weehoo who doesn't love a good boycott?

Hollywood.

Quote:

Originally posted by Funhouse

Neither is going to happen. Relocating is just plain impossible and I don't think any athlete would be willing to boycott after they dedicated their entire life and all of their money on this. The best thing to do raising awareness on what's going on in Russia and letting Russia know that the world is whatching.

American figure skater Johnny Weir is gay and Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst is bisexual. Those are the ones I know of but there's probably more.

Countries boycotted the last time Russia hosted too (well I guess techincally it was the Soviet Union that hosted.) But countries could at least threaten to boycott to make sure all their athletes, and visitors will be garanteed safety at the games.

I am stunned the IOC has been so quiet about this. These laws actually completely violate the Olympic charter.

Also I'm sure the organizers of the Sochi games are in panic mode right now, they can't control the laws and they could have a big diaster on their hands if countries choose to boycott / visitors don't come considering these are the one of the most expensive games in history.

new evolution

I really don't like the Olympics since I dislike sports and how people get so worked up with them. However, you have to think about how hard the athletes who are competing in the Olympics next year are practicing and waiting for this. It wouldn't be fair for them if the Olympics were cancelled only because of a law that may not affect them. So I think it should just be relocated but that's not something that can be done quickly. I would rather the Russian government just give up with their vile attitudes towards the gay community

BobBertran1992

Boycot the games and Russia from all these events until they get their stuff together