The Legendary Cossacks will be helping out with security in Sochi Olympics
On Thursday, the Sochi Olympics will begin with an equally expensive and brilliant fanfare. The Olympic Torch has finally arrived in Sochi after traveling 80, 000 kilometers across Russia, around the world and to outer space. Athletes and tourists from around the world have been pouring into Sochi for the past week or earlier depending on the traveler's schedules. The United States has been gritting its teeth over the threat of terrorism and has painted Russian security as somehow overlooking all the worst security breach scenarios. Russian security forces have shut down the area around the Olympic village and still incomplete hotels, mounted police and possibly scuba divers will be patrolling the streets and coast, the security permiter is in place along with drones and military helicopters patrolling the skies above Sochi which is in the North Caucaus but is regarded as the safer port cities on the Black Sea. Even the legendary horseback riding Cossacks are participating in enforcing security. The Cossacks were once regarded as thorny enemies by Tsarist Russia and Soviet Union. Cossacks come from North Caucasus and know the region well. If history is considered, Russia has consistently maintained a strong defense basis concerning its national borders and threats to internal security. Many suspected militants have been arrested around the North Caucausus and suspected or would be black widows or potential terrorists have been placed under house arrest until after the Olympics have ended.
United States intensify Sochi security plans
Gay men beaten Russian authorities are slow to react
Russia the New Battleground for Gay Rights
Beyond the security fears from the US and other Western countries not to mention the rest of the world, gay rights have again been popping up as a cause celebre by Gay rights activists in the US and other nations highlighting the abuses and violence against LGBT in Russia. Some Russian Neo-Nazi groups have posted videos of humiliating and violent attacks against gays and lesbians. The Western media's unending focus and its call for Russia to protect gays, remove its anti gay propaganda laws and promote human rights has placed LBGT Russians in an uncomfortable position. Many face discrimination and threats by thugs with little aid or empathy from society. Many are rightly nervous about coming out without a large backlash against them. The media's focus on gay rights and security has overshadowed the usual feel good excitement around the Olympics. It is worth noting that previous Olympic Games whether in Beijing, London or Tokyo didn't focus on gay rights or discrimination to the extent of Sochi Olympics. The security factor has always been as an over arching concern since 1972 Munich Olympics.
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