I (we**) have attended and covered as photographer(s) and academics 5 of the last 6 Olympics. (Salt lake, Torino, Beijing, Vancouver, and London)

In my opinion, what we see right now in the media is poor coverage and sending mixed messages to Russians and the world.

All the pictures of unfinished toilets, run down hotel rooms, buildings and venues under constructions are floating about simply because we have a bunch of bored journalists doodling around with nothing to do.

Russians are getting the impression that the whole world hate them. The issue is not a dislike of the Russian people, but a deep discontent with the policies of their corrupted leaders.

Google doodle

Today’s “Google doodle” speak for many! A nice touch and a solid design concept. Google’s statement is clear and to the point.

“The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.” — Olympic Charter

With a link to the Search on “Olympic Charter”

Olympic spirit

I have friends who will be on the ground in Sochi, I will live these games vicariously through them.

Russians will do their best to host an amazing event and welcome the world to Sochi. I hope that somehow the Olympic spirit will overcome all these negative pieces on Mashable and in western media.

Let’s focus less on the broken door handles, toilets without walls and more on the pressing issues: Human rights, discrimination, and the corrupted government who managed to convinced the IOC into letting them host this world-class party while lining their personal pockets!

OR maybe, just maybe, we should move on and create a space of mutual understanding to open the stage for the amazing athletes who have worked their butts off for years to compete in these Winter Olympics!

Game on!