Recently I have read an editorial piece on New York Times' Upfront Magazine titled "Olympic Games?" by Patricia Smith. It primarily focuses on the political issues of Russia and Putin's efforts to give the country a "political makeover". It also talks about tension between Russia and other nations.
The author starts off by talking about Russia's president Vladimir Putin and his destructive ways as a leader. She states that he had been ruling for 14 years and how he was been "[suppressing] political dissent" of Russian citizens. She backs this statement by giving example to his ban on public protests in Sochi, which he has presumably "eased" because of the upcoming Olympic games. Reading the first few paragraphs gives a clear idea of the author's viewpoint in Putin's leadership. She clearly does not approve of the way Putin governs the country of Russia and powers her argument by giving examples of Putin's harsh rule and tying their changes to the Sochi games, naming the process "a political makeover" which persuades the reader.
As stated in the previous paragraph, she also informs the readers about Putin's new political makeover that has been in progress since the decision to hold the Winter Olympics. Some of these changes, as Smith illustrates, are his freeing of many political prisoners and easing harsh bans. However, the author does not think highly of these changes, as she states that President Obama and other American government officials have not been "impressed" as they will not be in the openings ceremony. If the author had favored Putin's decisions, she would not have supported her statements with providing evidence that opposed her views.
Another subject talked about in this piece is Russia's issues with other nations. The author ties American government officials's boycott of the Olympic opening ceremony to the growing tension of the relationship between the US and Russia. Smith backs this statement by giving example to Russia's offer of political asylum to Edward Snowden, a former American spy that is wanted for espionage by US government. She also informs the readers of the two nation's disagreement over the civil war in Syria and American disapproval of Russia's restriction on gay rights. These disagreements, however, Smith states, have been around since the Cold War and peace will be hard to reestablish.
Reading this article has given me much information about the country that hosts the Winter Olympics this year. However, reading about it in Smith's point of view especially made me think about what goes on behind the walls of the glamouring Olympic stadiums and look a bit more closely on world relations.
