The conspiracy theories have begun about the water contamination and other problems 2014 Winter Games guests are experiencing in Sochi, Russia.
USA TODAY Sports columnist Christine Brennen wrote an article Wednesday, suggesting half in jest that the deplorable accommodations that have earned considerable media attention was an intentional ploy by Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep the media from concentrating on the other issues surrounding the upcoming Olympic Games.
"Yet they are taking all the oxygen out of the room before Thursday's start of competition and Friday's opening ceremony, making it all the more difficult for the real issues of these Games to bubble to the surface," Brennan wrote. "It's almost as if Russian President Vladimir Putin planned the whole thing, stealing the toilet paper and the light bulbs and the shower curtains himself, just to distract reporters from the stories that worry him far more."
Yes, stories about Russia's anti-gay laws, possible terrorist attacks and a $50 million expense in putting on the games have been shoved to the background as journalists reveal what color the water coming out of the faucets of their bathrooms.
Assigning the blame to a Russian leader that is said to be trying to alter the focus of the event away from the serious issues leading up to the Games would be comical if it Russia's apparent lack of readiness wasn't as comical.
Clearly, no country bids to host an Olympics competition does so haphazardly. For any country to treat the Olympics like a chore to put up with rather than a celebration of the event as a showcase for the country would be foolish.
Yet, the initial problems being reported suggest that Russia isn't into the self-promotion business.
Once the Games start on Thursday, the focus will go back to the Games themselves as well as the issues of gay rights and terrorism. But the diversion at least has bought Putin time - for whatever reason.
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