Put on a happy face...

Here we are at day number nine of the Sochi Olympics and two really important things have happened. First, there have been no major problems in or out of the competition (Spring weather on the slopes aside). And secondly, none of the infrastructure and venue problems have gotten any better. Our Russian friends are still not taking advice well and regardless of the difficulties, the response to the criticism is something that can be loosely translated as "Put on a happy face."

Twice a day, a group that includes members of the local organizing committee, Olympic staff and advisers like me come together to discuss and strategize the possible public communications around prevalent issues. We've talked about the weather, the accommodations, travel, transportation, the athlete village, the doors to the bathrooms and media accommodations. Today the subject was surveillance or as I would like to call it "spying".

It's been made very clear by the media in attendance that there is complete lack of privacy once you enter the grounds. The Russians are touting what they profess to be the most sophisticated audio tracking system in existence.  They can hear anything, anywhere, any time. And even US officials don't seem to be arguing that point.

Of course, the system is to combat potential terrorist threats (which are being received on a regular basis, and immediately being dismissed in most cases). However, there is some consternation from visitors and, especially athletes, who feel being unable to have free and open discussion in the privacy of their rooms is overstepping the bounds. You'll notice that the NBC crew is not now taking too many shots at the negatives in this situation.  I wonder why?

Here is where our hosts can't seem to grasp the difficulties brought on by the situation. Long discussions follow where several of us outline scenarios that would make surveillance an impediment to the competitive nature of some sports. "Really?!" is the response from our Russian counterparts. Why don't they get it? We wonder if it's ingrained in the culture.

Two media visitors submitted this example of the surveillance techniques. They checked into a room in one of the media hotels and, as they were settling in, one said to the other, "We have most of what we need here but a good sized work table would sure be helpful in getting our writing done." Fifteen minutes later, there was knock at the door.  "We understand you need a table in your room. We have one for you right here." There was no phone in the room.

And this doesn't begin to address the issue of surveillance cameras...everywhere and I mean everywhere. I guess we have to find comfort in knowing that anything strange is going to be noticed and, hopefully, that will impede something really bad happening.

Our hosts don't seem to want to budge on these public issues. They are obviously going to handle things their way. Our group is making tiny steps toward transparency, but it's not easy. I'll talk more about cell phones, the transportation to the venues and security guards.

All this is not to say that you can't have a good time.  The Stolichnaya is 120 proof and the rock and roll is loud and you can dance to it. So what's left...enjoy the 60-degree weather and put on a happy face.

More later...

Olympic Lockdown

Sochi was not expected to be a problem for the Olympics. Nice little seaside town on its way to being a real resort. The Winter Olympics came along and the government started pumping money into the town like it was Dawson City during the Gold Rush.

Security has always been an issue for the 10 Olympiads where I have played a role. It seemed like London was going to be difficult until the government there rallied law enforcement and the military and the Games ultimately came off without any significant glitches. Others like Atlanta were surprises that were dealt with in a reactionary way. But now we’re encountering something new that is a clear sign of our fragile times…direct threats and intelligence that confirms the potentially deadly prospects.

 

My weekly conference calls with organizers were filled with terrorism discussion, even before the Volgograd bombings. One important piece of the discussions has been the strong suspicion that these threats are targeted.  Not indiscriminate public places but specific targets such as corporate meetings, visiting dignitaries, athletes and even athlete’s families. Some countries are now considering staying home altogether. Athletes families have been strongly cautioned about the potential danger of attending.

Our most recent call turned its attention to those of us working for the Games. Many assignments are on-site where the competitions are being held. Much of what I have been asked to do over the years is behind the scenes, in meeting rooms and hotels surrounding the venues. The decision has now been made to do any job remotely that can be done effectively that way. The organizers don’t want to endanger the working group nor do they want to divert the prime security efforts away from the athletes and venues in any way.

This is the right decision. Safety first. But I am disappointed that I will miss spending time with my good friend Viktor Yazykov who was a competitor in our around the world sailing race. A native of Sochi, he is former Russian Army Special Forces involved directly in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. And he really knows how to drink vodka. However, as one might say, I would rather live to drink another day, than to be looking over my shoulder all the time and cringing each time I step up to turn on the computer in the media center.

As we discussed on the call, this is one of those times where the need for assistance away from the problem is essential. I won't be on the ground like in this 2010 screenshot, where I was talking to Jane as she was watching the live coverage on the east coast. I’ll be Skyping and watching streaming feeds from all the venues. We all want these Games to be safe but the threats are real and we’re told that the “Black Widows” that we have read about are likely to already be inside the city. And it’s not a stretch to think that they will target families because they’ve lost their own.  I’ll give you some periodic updates. There will undoubtedly be new wrinkles to this story every day. My 11^th Olympics are going to be most unusual.

Finally...common ground for the Olympics

The build up to the Sochi Olympics has been a roller coaster ride. Last week, world leaders were still condemning Russia’s anti-gay laws that seem made to be broken. With the Sochi games approaching the final stretch, I have again been asked to provide advice to the local organizers, as I have for the Beijing, Vancouver and London Games among others.  The conference calls I have been on since last summer have had a very strong ideological bent. The anti-gay issue has been vilified universally by most of the free world and the preparations for demonstrations, boycotts and law enforcement responses have been the focus.

These games have President Putin’s name stamped all over them and it’s easy to see how his ego is speeding down the slopes.  He wants to make Sochi a welcoming city for travelers, easily reached from Turkey across the Black Sea.  It’s a picturesque town like many of the Winter Olympic venues have been. The skiing and snowboarding events will take place on a mountain that is about 50 miles from the city and a high-speed train track is being built at a speed that would make the transcontinental race across our country over a century ago feel like a tortoise derby. Mr. Putin wants to be the winner here. In Beijing, it was the country that had something to prove. Here it’s the leader’s show.

But over the weekend the effort has taken an important turn. At the cost of at least 30 deaths and countless others injured, two suicide bombers have narrowed the focus dramatically 400 miles from Sochi in the city formerly known as Stalingrad.  No group has stepped up to take responsibility.  There is no obvious reason that these two incidents have anything to do with Sochi. But there is definitely common ground between the western world and Russia when it comes to fighting Islamic terrorists. It’s going to be hard now to be welcoming to the world but, like London, law enforcement will be the key to the effort. It already requires a special pass to even enter the city and the venues are being tightly restricted at every level.

Mr. Putin has already spent a reported $48 billion on these games and, now, money will be no object to make every aspect of this event safe and sound.  Unless the objections come from outside agitators, I doubt the issue of sexual preference will be a stumbling block to make these games successful. As I have in past situations, I will counsel swift and thorough efforts to deal with problems. And just as importantly, transparency of all actions taken is essential to gain the confidence and respect of all those watching.

Each time these world games are held, my heart is with the athletes.  If only they could compete without the stress of politics, corporate maneuvering and the threat of terrorism.  These are games not wars. Here’s a wish for a safe, exciting and rewarding competition between the world’s best athletes.  They deserve it.