In a new low for Russia, which is saying a lot, after defeating Czech Republic at the Euro championships in Poland this weekend Russian fans waved neo-Nazi flags, launched a racist attack on a dark-skinned player for the Czechs and then bloodied match stewards who tried to keep order. Later, Euro officials imposed a massive penalty on Russia for its barbarism.
People around the world gaped in slack-jawed horror as barbaric Russians threatened, even in victory, to turn the championships into a bloody pogrom.
How can this country possibly have been deemed fit to host the Winter Olympics in 2014? When will the world realize the horror it has invited, and stop this madness?
The world’s athletes are headed into a meat grinder. Any dark-skinned athlete, coach or official will be subject to brutal attacks. Terrorism is running rampant, and public transportation from airplanes to buses is suspect.
To allow the Sochi games to continue would be an act of international suicide.