SkiFreak Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Just wondering how the street atmosphere is around Sochi as I haven't seen any photos yet. Any pics floating around out there or were they blocked by the Russia government? Or have people's photos been deleted by hackers? I take it it won't be anywhere near to the level Vancouver was. Vancouver was awesome. Glad I got to hit the streets for four days there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I'm hoping Puppy will call in and post to give us some idea, but from what I'm seeing, the crowds at events seem to be spirited enough, but it's looking like a ghost town outside those. In fact, I'm loathe to call this so early, but I'm not feeling much in the way of spirit coming out of these games yet at all. Since the OC, it's just not really lighting my excitement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juso Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I'm hoping Puppy will call in and post to give us some idea, but from what I'm seeing, the crowds at events seem to be spirited enough, but it's looking like a ghost town outside those. In fact, I'm loathe to call this so early, but I'm not feeling much in the way of spirit coming out of these games yet at all. Since the OC, it's just not really lighting my excitement. I agree rols about the lack of excitement, though I get a bit more excitement from the canadian CBC broadcast than the network ten broadcast. I still don't understand how london can be hd streamed by foxtel and ten streaming is like youtube 7 years ago. If you have a VPN check out the CBC coverage, the streams are great, the commentary informative and the streams, crystal clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkiFreak Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 You wont see this in Sochi... but in Vancouver... That plaza in Sochi looks like the empty parking lot in National Lampoons Vacation when the Griswolds pull into the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gangwon Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 It would be nice to see some street scenes, street parties, indoor parties... What happened to those Sochi resident posters we used to have here during the bidding process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 It would be nice to see some street scenes, street parties, indoor parties... What happened to those Sochi resident posters we used to have here during the bidding process? Maybe they were relocated in the process... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world atlas Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 after days of searching around the Internet for any Olympic atmosphere in and around Sochi that's what I have found: the streets around the Olympic Park: ( from a Russian website ) Hope that will change in the next few days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 Dare I be the first to say, the Potemkin Village Games - classy opening, lovely look, superficially impressive venues, but behind that lacking in spirit and joy? Pups, tell us it's not so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 I don't know. When Russia got their Team Trophy medal there was boisterous singing to the anthem. The crowds at the biathlon venue have been reminiscent of the massive flag waving of Lillehammer. What the curling crowd lacks in numbers, they sure make up for in noise. I am reminded more of Torino overall though. Very patchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world atlas Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 And in the Olympic Park: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Mata Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 The vision of an isolated Olympic Park, 30km away from a city of merely 300mi inhabitants... Why exactly Sochi built this park so far away from downtown? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiejie Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 I'm hoping Puppy will call in and post to give us some idea, but from what I'm seeing, the crowds at events seem to be spirited enough, but it's looking like a ghost town outside those. In fact, I'm loathe to call this so early, but I'm not feeling much in the way of spirit coming out of these games yet at all. Since the OC, it's just not really lighting my excitement. Yeah I'm getting the same impression. Lots of space outside, not enough people there to fill it up. Even at the indoor venues there seem to be plenty of empty seats (though I'll admit we have yet to see some of the bigger-drawing events). Did any other GB'ers go to Sochi besides Puppy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave199 Posted February 12, 2014 Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 It's not a complete ghost city but some pics come close to it considering these are the freaking OLYMPICS! This is bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 Two things I've noticed. Curling is actually one of the best attended sports (has been confirmed by a couple articles that only figure skating, biathlon and cross country skiing has had the level of attendance or higher) And the Russian audiences seem to like Canadians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorchbearerSydney Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 And the Russian audiences seem to like Canadians. They have good taste! I haven't noticed any racist behaviour or booing from the crowds (despite some pre Games concerns) that is good. I am pretty sure they are a pretty knowledgable winter sports crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binary Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 I must say I'm honestly impressed with the turnout and enthusiasm of the crowds despite all the concerns over the past couple weeks. The only venue that seems to lack in crowds is the sliding track (save the finish line). Is it because they sold less tickets for it or something because I remember there being crowds around most of the turns in vancouver and torino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 I'm here. The crowds at events are fantastic. The Russians are having a ton of fun. The cheer loud for any Russians, and anyone else that is good, even if a rival to a Russian. Logistics are smooth, security is unobtrusive, venues are beautiful. No faults there. The eight zillion dollar train system looks great, but is the slowest "high speed" train ever. Can't comment on Sochi itself. Haven't been as the games aren't there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citius Altius Fortius Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Can't comment on Sochi itself. Haven't been as the games aren't there. The studio of the German TV is right at the "huge square" in the centre of the Olympic Park in Sochi (the studio has huge windows toward the square with a view upon the cauldron) - I haven't seen so far that this square was full of people during the broadcast out of this studio - there are some very few people who are hurrying to the arenas, but it seems that there is absolutely no celebrations going on like in the Olympic Park in London... By the way that was one of the worse anti-climaxes during the OC in my point of view - the lightning of the cauldron - everything was fine before the two final torchbearers left the stadium: the square was absolutely deserted - it looked like they were the only people in the world - it would have been much better if there had been a huge crowd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 To be fair, I've thought the park has looked pretty sparse and bleak in images I've seen of it and the medal ceremonies. But they dud show the women's half pipe medal ceremony here today and for once the crowd looked pretty big. Can't comment on Sochi itself. Haven't been as the games aren't there.Where are you staying? Hotel okay?Anyway, thanks for checking in. You're the first Gbidder to report from the ground there. Hope you're having a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Greetings from HK. Back from Sochi. Sadly my luggage hasn't made it yet. Grumble grumble Turkish Air... Zekekelso is right - great atmosphere inside the venues however the venues are not full. Just briefly in regards to the sliding centre - we had 'b' reserve tickets but were "upgraded" to 'a' reserve. Low ticket sales plus really visible security may be the reason why. No such issues at the extreme park. Great atmosphere there - but that may be due to most of the crowd seeming to not be locals. So, so many Canadians, Americans and Scandinavians attending the games. No transport issues. No security issues. Much quicker security than Vancouver strangely. Then again most of the events I attended were... lightly attended. The Olympic park is a ghost town. The Olympic passport is a rubbish idea and the park day passes went on sale quite late apparently and there is very little to do there anyway besides the medal ceremonies and posing for communist propaganda style pics with the cauldron. Nonetheless it is a stunning set of venues. Apart from popping into the CoSport office and a quick bus ride through Sochi proper I did not stray from the venues or the cruise ship. I'll write up a longer report when I get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Which cruise ship were you in? I will be on Norwegian Jade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Grand Holiday for two nights, with a friend at his rented unit for two nights. Luckily we weren't relocated from the GH as they apparently overbooked... No issues getting from the port to the park. Lots of buses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Staying in Khosta. Beautiful town between Sochi and Olympic Park. My reservation on cruise ship got taken (travel company says the OC took back cabins; many suspect travel company overbooked.) hotel is nice enough, but they speak no English and there is no easy way to get to the station. Travel company claimed there would be a shuttle. There is no shuttle. Rumor has it the driver is in jail. Sounds worse than it is, once I got the logistics figured out its pretty easy. This kind of stuff is par for the course with Olympic travel. Not complaining, just trying to give you guys a bit of flavor. Lots of grumbling about the Spectator passes. That and lines at ticket collection points are the major grumbles. The spectator pass reminds me of the invitation letter needed to get a Russian Visa. A seeming pointless step that just complicates things. As for crowds. The biathlon and cross country stadiums were completely packed. No surprise. Hockey was 95%+ full in seats sold to public. As at all Olympics, big blocks of empty VIP/NOC/Sponcer section. The IOC really needs to deal with this! Crowds do show up late and leave early. Russians would fit in well in L.A. Medal ceremony started out packed, but many left after the first two awards, where Russia won silver and bronze, their two if the night. Best moments were two really drunk Chinese guys belting out one enthusiastic national anthem. That and the woman winning team luge gold for Germany. Who knew Lugers looked that good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citius Altius Fortius Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Thanks zeke, for such great report about the atmosphere in Sochi!!! I hope you are enjoying your time at the Olympic Winter Games!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thanks for those reports Pups, Zeke. So it sounds like as long as you're in the gilded ring of steel, everything's slick, fun and festive, but you're not encouraged to go over the wire and there's not a lot outside there anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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