Half of Russian citizens approve of country hosting the Olympics - Los Angeles Times
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Olympics

Half of Russian citizens approve of country hosting the Olympics

International flags fly near one of the official mascots of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Wednesday at the Amphitheatre Square in Sochi.
International flags fly near one of the official mascots of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Wednesday at the Amphitheatre Square in Sochi.
(Andrej Isakovic / AFP / Getty Images)
By David Wharton
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SOCHI, Russia — With the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, it seems that Russians have mixed feelings about hosting the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The RIA Novosti news agency reported that only 53% of the people polled by the Levada Center in Moscow believe their country did the right thing by bidding for the Games.

Those in favor of the idea believe the massive sports competition will help unite the populace and improve the country’s image.

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But 26% did not want the Games here. “Opportunity for graft” was the most common reason given.

Twenty-one percent were undecided.

The Games will run from Friday through Feb. 23.

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David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

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