Poll Reveals Russian Public's Skepticism Over Sochi Olympic Games Spending

Pollsters revealed that almost two-thirds of Russians think that government money "is being put to poor use on preparations to host next year's Winter Olympics," according to the MOSCOW TIMES. The Games "are set to be the most expensive in history, and 65 percent of those questioned said the government's spending was either 'ineffective,' 'completely ineffective' or even 'simply being stolen,' an option chosen by 19 percent of respondents." Just 2% "rated the spending 'very effective' and another 20 percent 'fairly effective.'" The question "referred solely to federal budget money set to be spent on the Olympics, predicted to amount" to $21B. The local survey "echoes Britons' lack of confidence before hosting the Olympics in August" last year (MOSCOW TIMES, 6/27).