#SochiProblems: A semi-comprehensive glossary
The #SochiProblems persist — and boy, has Twitter become the world’s most entertaining complaint box. A reality show in real-time. A Pandora's box of absurdity. A photo diary with more attention than, say, Silje Norendal’s Instagram account.
But we digress.
It all started when BBC reporter Steven Rosenberg posted a picture of two toilets in one stall, which went viral and became a symbol of this Winter Games’ wonkiness. Then came the open manholes. The stray dogs. The people hired to kill the stray dogs. The, uh, tinted water.
For those of you new to the #SochiProblems saga (and who wish to bypass any corruption analysis), we’ve assembled this nifty glossary, as told by the international sports media:
'Bulb market
To anyone in Sochi: I am now in possession of three light bulbs. Will trade for a door handle. This offer is real: pic.twitter.com/7AeesqDi8Y
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 4, 2014
"Dangerous" water
My hotel has no water. If restored, the front desk says, "do not use on your face because it contains something very dangerous." #Sochi2014
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) February 4, 2014
Water restored, sorta. On the bright side, I now know what very dangerous face water looks like. #Sochi #unfiltered pic.twitter.com/sQWM0vYtyz
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) February 4, 2014
Hot water
My shower in Sochi has two settings: burning hot & Indy jones melty face hot (but I have hot water) #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/AAjLXUwdSJ
— Justin Sablich (@JSablichNYT) February 6, 2014
Exposed wires
So this is an interesting new addition to the plumbing in my #Sochi2014 hotel room. pic.twitter.com/N2UPeaA6uD
— Wayne Drehs (@espnWD) February 6, 2014
Faulty locks
First bit of adversity here at #Sochi2014. Locked INSIDE my room on Thursday morning. Waiting for the cavalry to arrive.
— Steve McAllister (@yahoomac) February 6, 2014
[ Related: Many Russians say Sochi is marred by corruption ]
But this gets the cake: my door wont close. No one has come to fix. Do I go to sleep with room open? pic.twitter.com/J0xZhUzqiz
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) February 5, 2014
Day starts w/email to editor "stuck in hotel room." The door lock appears to be broken. I have wifi and granola. CC @SochiProblems
— Mary Pilon (@marypilon) February 6, 2014
US bobsleigh athlete @JohnnyQuinnUSA gets locked in Sochi bathroom so breaks through door to escape...pic.twitter.com/pVO80EzP9A
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) February 8, 2014
Occupied beds
Journalist Joerg Reuter found construction workers sleeping in his bed. When he was moved to a different room, there was a stray dog in it
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) February 5, 2014
Parental warning
Soon, parents will start threatening their kids to behave or theyll ship them off to live in #sochihotels.
— Thomas Dodson (@shockthomas) February 5, 2014
#MediaWusses
This is what came out of my faucet -- Okay, when EmergenC was added to it. Psyche. #MediaWusses pic.twitter.com/V6jl9oQdKn
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) February 5, 2014
Smoke alarm
Smoke alarm went off again at 6:07 because...welcome to Sochi. #nprsochi
— Tamara Keith (@tamarakeithNPR) February 6, 2014
Oh I spoke too soon on the Sochi hotel praise: cue 5 am fire alarm.
— Paul Sonne (@paulsonne) February 6, 2014
And the hotel fire alarm is a Russian woman saying "Attention, fire alarm" and no one has any idea whats being said.
— Paul Sonne (@paulsonne) February 6, 2014
Stray dogs
Stray dogs sunning themselves near my hotel the other day. Worried about their fate. I have 1 word for them: Run! pic.twitter.com/fHVJe78o5m
— Jo-Ann Barnas (@JoAnnBarnas) February 2, 2014
[ Related: Company hired to kill dogs in Sochi ]
Toilet trouble
People have asked me what surprised me the most here in Sochi. Its this. Without question ... it's ... THIS. pic.twitter.com/1jj05FNdCP
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 4, 2014
Uncovered manholes
Watch your step @Sochi2014 -- Ive noticed on walkway and on sidewalks that not all man holes are always covered. pic.twitter.com/a5Nv4wu5iA
— Jo-Ann Barnas (@JoAnnBarnas) February 1, 2014
Unfinished lodging
A lot of complaints about the accommodations. This is the foyer of my apartment. #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/gKnxCywKF0
— Mark Connolly (@MarkConnollyCBC) February 6, 2014
This is the one hotel room @Sochi2014 have given us so far. Shambles. #cnnsochi pic.twitter.com/RTjEkmyan3
— Harry Reekie (@HarryCNN) February 4, 2014
Unfortunately random light fixtures appear to be falling pic.twitter.com/zVRWaUxp7d
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 5, 2014
But keep in mind:
Favorite line of the week from the young Sochi volunteer on the bus, "we dont have problems in Russia, we have adventures".#SochiProblems
— Alan Springer (@alanspringer) February 5, 2014
