In just a couple of weeks, the 2014 Winter Olympics will commence at the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Russias southwestern border. Such grandeur of spending and development, argues The New York Times, hasnt been seen in Russia since the pre-Gorbachev days of the Soviet Union, and the catalyst behind it all is predictably enough the countrys leader, Vladimir Putin. With plans for Sochi to serve as a venue for both the Russian Formula One race and World Cup matches during the 2018 tournament, the vast investment can be justified along multiple practical lines, though it ultimately appears an ideologically motivated effort to demonstrate Russias enduring strength.
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