Thinking of doing a quick Sochi Olympics MR/long weekend. I've always wanted to attend the Olympics and thought it might be fun to do so with some FlyerTalk faithful!

If it happens, this will be a very quick trip, arriving at SVO on the afternoon of Feb. 7 and staying there overnight, flying SVO-AER on 2/8 and staying for two nights.

Just gauging interest at this point.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some major boycotting, given that the Russians are promising to arrest anyone gay that shows up (including the athletes).

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Both of these issues might end up killing the idea. I'm monitoring the room situation, which right now is basically nonexistent (unless you want to spend $800/night on a hostel). There was an $850 ORD-SVO fare on SAS last night, which I tried to book but was told this morning was gone before they could ticket it. Let's keep an eye on things.

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Yes, If someone who will be arrested. if you see someone who bothered you. You have notify the police immediately. Don't go near the place. It can be very extremely dangerous out there.

I am gay and a frequent visitor to Russia. I consider it my "adopted homeland" and have many friends and business contacts there.

I am on the fence about going. Not because of the recent laws (well, its Russia) but because its going to be f-ing cold. I've been in Moscow before in February and, its seriously cold. -30C / -22F , with windchill, its even colder ( Sorry I can't handle). For what its worth, Sochi is more temperate. Many people question why Sochi was picked for this reason.

A plus for me wanting to go : Many people will be boycotting the games so crowds are bound to be low. Hotel rates are bound to be attractive. There is a Hyatt that is allegedly due to open in time, but as of yet they are not yet taking reservations. Also, I should note that the Russian Federation spent $56 Billion US dollars on this, I'm curious to see where this money went to.
(double what the Canadian's spent?)

BTW - reports of Gay people getting arrested upon entry are totally false.
Russia is very much misunderstood, often by people who have never even set foot there/don't know what they are talking about.

OP : I retired from FT for various reasons, and rarely post. I also choose not to participate in FT events "officially" . If this is an FT event, and non FT-ers are welcome, please PM. Otherwise, godspeed...

I am in the process of trying very hard to volunteer, if I get selected I would be more than happy to meet up with FT members (official or otherwise ) during any downtime I have!

Please keep me in the loop!

Any update / interest from anyone? Would love to get together with other FT members.

Many thanks for your perspective meFIRST. I'm sure I'm not the only one who admires your honesty in coming out of retirement to divulge what is quite likely to be a somewhat controversial but nonetheless quite brave perspective on what is happening in Russia at the moment. I have very mixed feelings on the Sochi Olympics, as I have always wanted to attend an Olympics--any Olympics--but yet feel that I might be doing very close friends and family who happen to be gay a disservice if I support the Russian Olympic effort. That said, this is a fantastic opportunity from an affordability standpoint, and ultimately, the hand-wringing is for me to figure out.
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After all of that, however--and sadly--my work is quite likely to need me in Singapore that week, so I can no longer commit to this (this is a fairly new development, and since I have already booked my travel to Sochi, I have lost some money on the airfare). However, I will keep an eye on the thread, and if anything at all changes, I will let you know. Nonetheless, I think a Sochi Olympics DO would be wonderful, and if a FlyerTalk delegation that is same-sex couple-friendly can go...well, all the better, I guess (sorry if this gets into Omni PR territory, as it is not my intention). Frankly, it's all about the experience, and any do-gooding will likely be a simple side effect of our presence in Sochi.

I will be in Sochi from 2/13 until 2/15 - attending curling & ski jump and sleeping on a cruise ship. Would love to meet up with any other FTers who will be around.

I disagree. Based on Athens, Beijing and Vancouver (the Olympics I have been following for lodging), rooms always become available at quite reasonable rates within about a month of the event.

Also, it is not the Russian Olympic Committee but the International Olympic Committee that requires all hotel rooms be turned over to them. It is a condition of a city receiving the Olympic bid.

So it's official (visa pending, of course) I'll be volunteering at Sochi from January 27 through February 24!

If there is an official (or unofficial) DO, please let me know, I'll do my best to make it, and if anyone will simply be there, definitely send a PM - I'd love to meet fellow FTers far from home!

At this point I have no idea how regular my access to internet will be - Canadian roaming is AWFUL so it'll be disabled while I'm there and I'll have to rely on WiFi or get a Russian SIM - but I'll try my best to stay connected.

It might be good to have the first post (or a wiki) utilized to keep track of when FTers will be in Sochi, perhaps something similar to this thread from Torino 2006 - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...ry-2006-a.html

Are you staying in one of those cruise ships mentioned earlier? I am seriously considering them but I will be there for close to a month and dont know if I should just go ahead and buy that or see if hotels open up.