The Sochi Olympics are here, like it or not. For these Olympic Games to have been awarded to Vladimir Putin (because the games are his, not Russia's, if you really look at the whole thing), the IOC further proved that they are ignorant, short-sighted, and just as open to corruption as virtually any government you can name. But for all of us (myself included) that have decried the games and absolutely do not want to support the Olympic Committee, Vladimir Putin, Mother Russia, the Olympic Sponsors, etc., unfortunately, the main focus of the games' concept is caught in the middle.
There are approximately 6,000 from 89 countries that have trained for years to get where they are today. They did not ask for the location; they just want to compete. Yes, they could have boycotted, but for the older ones, this could be their last Olympics; and for the younger ones, I'm sure the chance at their very first Olympics was too over-powering. Fuck the controversy. As having never been an athlete of any kind (except recreational biking and, of course, running my mouth), I can't say I understand the mentality of a truly competitive athlete, but I appreciate the dedication and determination.
For everything that can and will be said about the Olympic Games in Sochi, there are plenty of people that will end up watching some of it for various reasons, despite best efforts to avoid it: your brother is a snowboarder, your cousin from Switzerland is competing in the biathlon, you're a hockey fan through-and-through, your 9-year old daughter wants to be a speedskater, your wife's uncle's sister's son is one of them male figure skaters (but he's definitely not gay…that's just his roommate with him at every single family function), you really really like watching the 2-man luge (http://youtu.be/...) , or…you just enjoy the games themselves and the competition.
So if you do end up seeing an Olympic event while flipping channels, surfing the web, or intentionally-but-guiltily, here are some things you can do.
• Wish (secretly or not-so-secretly) for the Russian in any given event to slip, fall, or otherwise get injured or disqualified
• At the very least, loudly wish for the Russian in any given event to lose
• Hope for Russia to wine the fewest medals EVER
• Hope every country where gay marriage is legal wins more medals than Russia
• Start a collection in case Bob Costas says something that the Russians deem too controversial, and we all have to help NBC bail him out of a Siberian work camp.
• Take a shot any time an on-air person says the term "Mother Russia"
• Take two (2) shots if Putin's name is mentioned, by anyone
• Drink everything you can find and run outside and kiss your neighbor if anyone comes out on the medal podium or during post-medal interview
Have more to add to the list?