After Sochi 2014, Russia Approves Use of Force in Ukraine

A quick serious note. There is political upheaval going on in Ukraine right now. The people wanting to join the European Union overthrew the government, with former pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych being ousted. Russia has approved use of their military in Crimea, and Russian troops have taken over the region. Ukraine has since mobilized their military, seeing Russia's actions as an "act of war".

Crimea is semi-autonomous. It is part of Ukraine, but is self governed with many Russians living there. However, Ukraine was "gifted" Crimea by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The location on the Black Sea makes it a desirable location and why Russia wants it in the first place.

This all has happened in the days after the close of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Charter states, "the goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity." Yet they have intervened in the Ukraine with force, instead of letting the Ukranian people make their own decision. Its not like this is the first time the Olympic Charter has been called into question with regards to Sochi hosting. Speaking of Sochi, after spending a record $51 Billion on the Olympics, one has to wonder how much use they'll actually get out of everything they built in Sochi. With mild/warm weather even during winter, how many winter sports events will Sochi attract?