February 27, 2014 | Volume 6, Issue 8 | Athens, GA
www.theodysseyonline.com | @ugaodyssey | Facebook.com/TheOdysseyUGA
FORMAL IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRING PAGE 2
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION page 3 THE COOLER SURVIVAL GUIDE page 5 DESTINATION FORMAL page 11 Photo provided by: Pj Turrentine
2 FORMAL IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT Editor's note
The gates have opened, all bets are DANIELLE WeINeR off and the draft for Phi Mu the best date around editor-in-Chief is something we are Danielle is a junior studying ALL too familiar with. English and history. You may Lingering questions contact her at dweiner@uga.edu. such as “Where should I rent my tux?” or “….Can I realistically dance in these wedges?” race through our minds, as we make our last minute check lists and re-stock our liquor cabinets for the unanticipated future. With the initial adrenaline fueled kick-off of spring semester fading, even with the absence of football season, the possibilities for adventure are endless as the world is still teeming with opportunities. From Nashville to New Orleans, the constant chiming of fire alarms in each of the freshman dorms, reminds us all that once again: Formal Season is upon us. Reminiscing back to my freshman year, I fondly recall strolling through Creswell, Russell and Brumby, lost in a cloud of aerosol fumes, slowly suffocating with each step. Yielding poor decisions, epic stories, minor arrests, surprise tattoos and essentially all loss of dignity: Formals have the ability to bring out the best and the worst in us all! Shamelessly a weekend away serves as an opportunity for every worthy Srat Star and Frathlete to join forces and celebrate a weekend of unfiltered fun. Much like any other event, formal isn’t just another “function.” Formal is the one weekend a year that encompasses the epitome of a college experience. Spending months in preparation, formals are similar to any other athletic event, subscribing to the phrase: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. While exhilarating, when heading into a formal, each attendee should bear in mind there are always elements of surprise. Going into formal, the best way to describe it would have to be a giant alcohol fueled shenanigan with the expectation to constantly rally and sleep the entire bus ride home. In order to have a successful formal, guidelines are simple enough, to foremost… 1. Attend with an open mind.
www.theodysseyonline.com
Unfamiliar with my date, I conveniently hadn’t packed for the correct weather, failed to make a cooler, got lost on Bourbon Street and ultimately felt completely overwhelmed by the entire weekend. However, dwelling upon the past, it was during that chilly weekend in March my freshman year that I managed to somehow still discover a few of my greatest friends in college. Similar to a fine wine, over the years, I’ve learned that formal is typically more enjoyable with time: leading to my most memorable experiences as an upperclassmen. Having endured more than one formal fiasco allows for trial and error periods, eventually leading up to the most outrageous experience you can imagine to prevail. Undeniably, it goes without saying that anyone’s first formal experience can be intimidating. However, if everything goes south, don’t sweat it! If anything else, just remember that at the end of your senior year, the good, the bad and the ugly college exists as one of the greatest times in our lives.
THE ODYSSEY AT UGA eXeCUTIVe TeaM
eXeCUTIVe TeaM
President Poulomi Purkayastha
Editor-In-Chief Danielle Weiner
Sales Executives Dilreet Kaur
Contributing Editor Giles Wasson
Rachel Hamil
Social Media Director Alex Iscaro
Sigma Sigma Rho
Delta Gamma Delta Gamma
Phi Mu
Alpha Tau Omega
Phi Mu
Photographers Dilreet Kaur Delta Gamma
Dana Heyman
Sigma Delta Tau
OLYMpIa MeDIa gROUp 888.272.2595 | OlympiaMediaGroup.com
2. Acquire a liver of steel. Brittany Binowski, Managing Editor | Grant Hohulin, Designer
3. Know one’s own boundaries. 4. Go with the flow. By no means are there any promises that your first formal experience is going to be your greatest. Coming from a formal veteran, I for one can admit that my freshman experience initially felt like a train wreck!
We want a representative from every house! To apply for a writing, photography or sales position, TheOdysseyOnline.com/creative © 2014 Olympia Media Group, LLC All Rights Reserved. The Odyssey is a private entity not associated or governed by UGA or the UGA Greek life office. The views and opinions shared in The Odyssey are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Odyssey and Olympia Media Group.
Greek life traditions
www.theodysseyonline.com
LOCaTION, LOCaTION, LOCaTION
It’s
beginning
The weather is getting w a r m e r,
girls
scrambling
to
The venue had indoor/outdoor seating, a giant open field, horse pasture
to
look a lot like formal. a re find
dresses and guys search
ALEX eVeRHaRT Alpha Omicron Pi
Alex is a sophomore studying pre-journalism and public relations. You may contact her at abe1993@uga.edu.
for the perfect weekend date. It’s the best time of the year where we pull out our favorite cocktail attire and bowties. Fraternities pack their bags and head to Charleston and New Orleans, while girls try to find a perfect venue in Athens. Sorority formals are very different than fraternity formals. At UGA, sororities have their extravagant night in town, instead of a weekend trip. The past few years, Alpha Omicron Pi has branched outside the Athens area and picked a different location. Located in Greensboro, Ga. on a small area of land is the Washington Grass Inn. It is a quaint inn with the perfect venue for any formal occasion. The Inn sits on open acres of land and backs up to a horse pasture. A dance floor sits in the backyard, where a huge white tent covers the arrangement of tables. In the past years, venues such as Hotel Indigo have been the prime spot for sorority formals. Although there are many great places in Athens, sometimes venturing to different locations can be great. AOII loaded close to 10 buses and headed out of Athens to the perfect, Pinterest event. A Motown band played everything from the 70s to now. Dinner was on site, and the beautiful landscape provided perfect picture opportunities. “I liked that it was in a field, and I liked the scenery,” Alissa Stringer, sophomore fashion merchandising major form Dacula, Ga., said. AOII is hoping to keep it a tradition of having the event outside of Athens. The Washington Grass Inn provided a great venue to be outside and explore. “I thought it was awesome, and I liked it because there were lots of venues within the venue,” Mary Sanford Anheuser, sophomore public relations major from Johns Creek, Ga., said.
3
and a lot of places to walk around. Most people avoid outdoor venues because of the weather, but in the late spring, the weather was perfect. The outdoor venue also added a relaxing element to the entire evening. After the buildup leading up to the formal, the location and music was fantastic. “I thought it was more relaxed, but more fun than prom,” Kat Sattele, sophomore business major from Kennesaw, Ga., said. This year, AOII will be returning to the same venue for another wonderful event. All formals are different, but the key to the perfect formal is the location.
4 FORMAL TIPS Greek life traditions
Sorority and fraternity formals are one of the most anticipated times of the whole year. Dressing up, meeting new people, hanging out with your best friends, and experiencing a new city or venue all make formal an amazing event. Formal can be a lot to take in, and sometimes it’s hard to soak up every opportunity. Here are some tips to help your formal night or weekend go smoothly, so you can fully enjoy every second:
1. If your formal is in Athens, remember to make reservations for your pre-formal dinner a few days (or even a few weeks) in advance. Reservations are the key to a smooth and worry-free formal night. 2. Find a fun pre-game destination. Pre-gaming is always half the fun, so this is important. If you don’t know where to go for your pre-game after dinner, than you can always hit power hour. 3. Make sure you keep cash with you on formal night. In case you hit power hour, need to take a cab back home, or want to have a little late night food, cash is a necessity.
www.theodysseyonline.com
4. Take a lot of pictures. The more, the better! You will be so grateful you did, and you will have a blast (or get very embarrassed) going through all of them the next morning.
CATHERINE SCHMITT Kappa Delta
Catherine is a sophomore studying journalism. You may contact her at catherineschmitt94@gmail.com.
5. Girls, pick your shoes wisely. Dancing the night away and walking around all night in huge heels can cause your night to turn miserable. Pick some heels, preferably wedges, that you have worn before so you know how they feel after wearing them for hours. If they have given you blisters before, then you should probably choose different ones. Put a band-aid or two in your purse just in case. 6. If you are going on a weekend formal, remember that there is nothing wrong with packing a little extra. Since this is a weekend formal, you never know what you might need. Just in case -- you should pack an extra outfit and a bathing suit. You might not use them, but it’s way better to be safe than sorry. Formal can be the most fun and anticipated evening of the spring. If you prepare accordingly and plan ahead, your formal experience will run so smoothly, allowing you to enjoy this time to the fullest.
Greek life traditions
www.theodysseyonline.com
THe COOLeR SURVIVaL gUIDe This is it. Your entire college career is hanging on this one weekend: formal. Okay, maybe not quite, but with your to-do list growing every hour, it sure as hell seems like it. What dress?
Sometimes finding The Cooler itself can be one of the most challenging aspects of the
MADELINE WeeKMaN
whole process. After all, it seems that every single girl on campus has bought out the
Gamma Phi Beta
rest assured, you finally located one at a Publix in the next town over. Thank god no one
Madeline is a sophomore studying public relations. You may reach her at madelinew315@ gmail.com.
decided to look there. (Maybe because it was an hour’s drive, but who’s keeping track?) It doesn’t matter how you acquired THE COOLER. You have it in your possession, and
What heels? Can you really survive nine hours on a bus with what’s-his-name who you met last night downtown? And, yes, it was an actual invitation because you received a confirmation text this morning as you were curing your hangover with Waffle House. How will you do your hair? But, wait, one minor detail has been forgotten… THE COOLER (caps lock intended). The Cooler is going to set the stage for this weekend. The Cooler will determine if we have an amazing time. The Cooler is going to reflect if you get a t-shirt out of this ordeal…I mean, amazing weekend. Three weeks until formal? Everyone acts as if this is no big deal, but for those of us that are less than artistically inclined, it can be more daunting than finals week. Where to begin?
5
cooler stock of every Target, Walmart, and Kroger within a 25 mile radius of campus. But
now it’s time to get to painting. After spending hours trolling Pinterest and the Cooler Connection, you now not only know the steps you’re going to take designing The Cooler, but you know what you’re going to put on the cooler as well. After all, it has to reflect your date’s personality and how well you can craft…but no pressure or anything. Advice for beginners: keep it simple. Guys are impressed with just about anything, and they’ll love whatever you do. It doesn’t have to look like the work of Picasso. The week before formal is always hectic, but you’ll get it done. If only your professors would recognize cooler painting as a valid excuse to skip class. Once on actual formal, just relax and have fun. The Cooler may be the best one out of all the others, but even if it’s not, just remember it’s not so much what’s on The Cooler, but what’s inside of it.
10
Self Philanthropy
www.theodysseyonline.com
DaNCe MaRaTHON Do you love kids?
Do you love to Dance? Do you love to change lives? If you answered a resounding yes, then
since freshman year: “I got involved freshmen year after hearing about Dance
ISABEL MaCgUIRe Alpha Delta Pi
Isabel is a junior studying mass media arts. You may reach her at mimac92@uga.edu.
UGA Miracle is THE place for you!
Marathon and UGA Miracle during Freshmen College at an information session. I am on the finance committee and have been since freshmen year. I’ve really enjoyed my time with Miracle and seeing the sweet families that can be whole because of the great things that we contribute.” There are many ways to get involved with UGA Miracle, and every way to get involved is for the kids. Dance Marathon is the organization’s largest
UGA Miracle is one of the largest student-run philanthropies at the
fundraising event that will be held on February 22 until 10 a.m. on February 23.
University of Georgia and aims to raise money and support for Children’s
Each year UGA Miracle hosts a 24-hour dance marathon for the families and
Healthcare of Atlanta. UGA Miracle is a great way for students to get involved
children. For 24 hours the children can dance, play, and share their personal
with a great cause.
stories. UGA Miracle is a great organization, and each year they outshine
Audrey Dugan, a junior at UGA, has been involved with UGA Miracle
themselves with everything they do for the families.
Adventure traveling
www.theodysseyonline.com
DeSTINaTION FORMaL In the world of fraternity, formals are essentially an excuse to find a date and escape routine for an unforgettable weekend away from campus. Gamma Phi Beta School work is shoved aside to make memories in a place Mackenzie is a freshman that is unfamiliar yet exciting, studying finance & psychology. and the typical weekend is You may contact her at mjr924@uga.edu. made interesting by an entirely new environment. With this complete change of scenery comes a fresh sense of enthusiasm felt by all those about to venture on their anticipated weekend getaway.
MACKENZIE RaNDOLpH
Charming cities including New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah, and Nashville are favorited among UGA fraternities for hosting Formal excursions. All these places have their own unique appeal and charisma that should be exploited as much as possible throughout the weekend. Since there is no rigorous schedule to follow during Formal, there is plenty of down-time to explore the city and make the most of what each place has to offer. New Orleans is a classic and unparalleled destination for formal. The festive night life of Bourbon Street contrasting the intricate spanish architecture of the French Quarter all encompassed by a distinct artistic atmosphere make it unlike any other american city. During the day, the streets of New Orleans radiate a certain creative energy that encourages originality to be celebrated. Painters and sketch artists casually set up canvases on street-corners so that observers can watch them mid-stroke, while horse-drawn carriages parade sightseers around the town. As the birthplace of Jazz, the city also has a remarkable music scene that is heavily attributed to the patchwork of talented street performers filling sidewalks with individual melodies. Although New Orleans is an engaging place to spend the daylight hours, the night scene is even more thrilling. Everyone from Bourbon Street to Frenchmen Street is out looking for a
11
Mardi-Gras type celebration. Simply walking down Bourbon Street is enough for anyone to feel a part of the spirited, carnival-like atmosphere. From the purple, green, and gold beads to the festive masks, it’s no wonder New Orleans is celebrated for its exceptional nightlife. Charleston may not be as exotic as New Orleans, but its quaint charm and scenic surroundings make it an attractive vacation spot. Relaxing at the peaceful beaches along with roaming the shops scattered throughout downtown Charleston is the ultimate way to spend an afternoon in this quiet town. Charleston also has a solid bar scene for when formal is over and everyone is out searching for a good time. Savannah is another interesting city because of all the history embedded within it. The allegedly haunted buildings with their exquisite southern architecture provide the foundation that gives this place character and unique appeal. The trees, draped aimlessly with spanish moss, also contribute to the timeless atmosphere Savannah possesses. There is plenty of sightseeing to do along the streets of Savannah, numerous unique restaurants to dine in, and several boutiques to roam through while waiting for Formal to start. One of the most scenic places in Savannah is Forsyth Park, centrally located in the historic district, and built in the 1840s. Here you can take a stroll through picturesque nature trails or even stumble upon an outdoor concert. Nashville is famed as the music capital of the south. The city is packed with musicians performing in hidden cafÊs and epic concert halls. One can visit the famous Bluebird Cafe for the chance to hear a unique songwriter performance, or stop by one of the many record stores and browse extensive collections of music. There are also several noteworthy restaurants to dine in such as Fido or the 12South Taproom. At Fido, breakfast is served all day in an eclectic coffeehouse environment, while the 12South Taproom’s specialty is its bar prized for the large selection of beers on tap. Nashville is an excellent getaway for those with a passion for music or those simply wanting an unparalleled atmosphere to spend their afternoon in. All these places have their own distinct personality and provide ample opportunities for an unforgettable weekend. Make the most of these cities by absorbing all there is to see and do there while enjoying the company of friends and your date.
12
Humor lol
www.theodysseyonline.com
NOLA: BRIMMING WITH ADVENTURE a part time gig while they go to school, these bouncers are linebacker material and will literally throw you out for any reason because this is their full time job.
The best thing about going on a fraternity formal, besides getting an awesome cooler filled to the brim with your favorite whiskeys and beers, is that, as opposed to going on a sorority’s formal, you get to go to a whole new city, sometimes out of state. This makes the destination possibilities endless. You can go nearly anywhere on the east coast: from Charleston to Savannah, from Nashville to New Orleans. But there has to be one city that trumps all the others, so which one is it? Generally the consensus is NOLA. The exotic and alcohol fueled town offers copious possibilities for college students to have fun and take a load off. You can always visit the historical centers of New Orleans like the French Quarter which houses such landmarks like Café Du Monde (keep in mind that the line to get in stretches on for a good block or so) and breathtaking cathedrals and squares. If visiting old places reminds you too much of being on a school field trip and you rather spend your weekend sipping on Hand Grenades than munching on beignets, NOLA’s other districts and lack of open container laws will allow you to do so. You can drink on Bourbon Street (no, they don’t have tables you can dance on while drunkenly singing, “Livin On A Prayer”) and enjoy the finer things in life like voodoo shops, homeless people, human statues, and the endless line of strip clubs. Ahh, yes, this is what America is made of. I know everything I’ve just described to you sounds like a blast, and it is, but you still need to be careful. So, here are some things to beware of in NOLA. Firstly, even though you can drink on the streets, if you’re underage, I would be very cautious, especially when trying to get into bars. The bouncers in New Orleans aren’t like those in Athens. They’re not doing this as
CHRIS FReeMaN Sigma Pi
Chris is a junior studying Another things that sucks MIS. You may contact him at about having a formal in New chrsfreeman181@gmail.com. Orleans is its distance from Athens. It’s a 12-hour drive each way, so the only realistic time you could go during the school year is MLK weekend in January, and, take my advice on this one, you should definitely rent a bus to take everyone. The burden of having to drive 12-hours hungover on a Monday is too much and is very, very dangerous. Rent a bus for the weekend, so you don’t have to worry about driving at all and you can pre and post game on it. Charleston and Savannah are both popular destinations for fraternity formals. They’re just as historic as New Orleans and offer just as many cool places to visit and fun things to do, but they’re only four hours away. Last year we had our formal in Savannah, and it was a blast. Our hotel was right downtown so we could do all the typical touristy things like walk next to the water, visit the chocolate shop, and enjoy 2 Toned Fish play in Market Square. However, just like NOLA, don’t be too “adventurous” if you’re not 21. Even though these towns have colleges right next to them, drinking isn’t as big as it is in Athens, so they’re stricter than Athens. At the end of the day, going on a fraternity formal, no matter where it is, is sure to be a lot of fun. Just be careful about what you do because you’re not in Athens, and be sure to take a bus because, even though it’ll be more expensive, it’ll save everybody gas money, liability, and, most importantly, some drinking time.
Lookbook fashion
www.theodysseyonline.com
FLAUNT IT AT FORMAL
up Nikes every single day. Sure, I wasn’t the most stylish date there, but come time to slip
So you have been asked on a formal! But here are the million dollar questions: what do you wear on the night of formal and what should you pack?! If your date is anything like mine,
13
ELIZABETH SaYeRS
Delta Delta Delta Elizabeth is a freshman studying business. You may contact her at elizels@uga.edu.
on my heels for the formal event, I was so grateful I wore my tennis shoes the day before! Evening wear can be tricky. Usually, girls are expected to wear long dresses but not always, so make sure to bring options! I brought a long and short dress and was so happy I did! Downtown Nashville in a long dress would have been a nightmare! Because it is late winter, I would suggest wearing dark colors like hunter green, navy blue or even black (although I wore red!). Avoid strapless dresses if possible because
he will say something along
you will want to be able to dance and move freely without having to pull your dress up
the lines of, “I don’t know. A long dress, I guess. And clothes to wear the other days.” Not too helpful. The next step in the packing process is considering where you are going. If you are going somewhere cold like Gatlinburg, Tenn. make sure to pack warm! If you are going to an old city like Charleston where the roads are cobblestone, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes! In January, I went to Kappa Alpha’s Convivium in Nashville and wore my trusty, beat
every five minutes. Again, shoes are key. Opt for a sturdy heel that has a lot of support and is easy to walk in. Many formal venues are in cities where the streets are old and uneven so unless you are a pro, leave those stilettos at home! When it comes down to it, wear something you are comfortable in! Formal is about having fun with your date and meeting new people. So if you were absolutely born to walk in stilettos, go for it! And remember, have a great time.
pReppINg FOR FaBULOUS Second semester is in full swing and that means that fraternity formal season is upon us. Whether you Sigma Delta Tau spent MLK Weekend in Mallory is a sophomore studying New Orleans or Savannah, journalism. You may contact her at malmoss@uga.edu. or are anticipating your trip to Nashville in late February (I leave next week), every girl needs a guide of how to properly prepare for a get-a-way formal. With the help of my Sig Delt sisters, we’ve compiled a list of necessities to ensure that each date has the best weekend possible.
MALLORY MOSKOVITZ
1. Snacks: When I asked my roommate what she thought was the most important thing to bring on formal, we simultaneously both said “snacks.” You may not know when your next meal is or what it might be, so it’s crucial to come prepared with an array of snacks for those hungry times. Be sure to bring protein bars and gum for yourself, and some of you and your date’s favorite snacking food (Goldfish, Sour Patch Kids, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Pretzel M&Ms, etc.) for the moments you need to be held over until your next meal. Also, be sure you have something to munch on for the long car rides as well. 2. Dress and Shoes: Obviously, you want to be the best-dressed girl at the event. You want all the other girls to wish they were wearing your dress, and every boy to wish you were their date. Pick a dress that screams, “I’m here to have fun” without
looking like a total slut. When it comes to shoes, make sure your heels don’t make you taller than your date. No boy wants to look like a little kid next to his date. Also, make sure you’ll be able to walk in your shoes and wear them semi-comfortably all night. You don’t want to have to take them off and walk around dirty streets barefoot. 3. Nails: Every girl wants to get her nails perfectly manicured before formal, but my tip here is to go to the nail salon at a time where it’s not going to be swarming with sorority girls also prepping for formals. Go when it opens, or right before it closes. Any time during the day, when girls are between classes, is an absolute nightmare at the nail salon. Save yourself some time and pick random hours that not everyone is thinking about. 4. Cooler: To make a cooler or not make a cooler? That is the question of the season. If you’re creative and willing to put hours upon hours of time and money into creating something that hopefully won’t be destroyed, it’s definitely worth it. The look on your date’s face when you show him your masterpiece is worth the hard work. If you are not artistic and don’t have much free time on your hands, don’t waste your time. Supply the alcohol and that should make him happy enough. 5. Be grateful, appreciative, and always say thank you: Your date put serious thought into picking you to spend a weekend with. He will be spending a lot of money on you this weekend, so remember to continuously be grateful for what he is doing for you and the experience you’re having. Even if you two are solely friends, appreciate all that is being offered to you and enjoy your time. Happy formals y’all!
14 THe MOST MeMORaBLe MOMeNTS FROM SOCHI… SO FaR Sports local
www.theodysseyonline.com
I absolutely love international athletic competitions (I can hardly contain my excitement for the Wo r l d
Cup
this
Shaun White Disappoints
THOMAS WaSSON
Alpha Tau Omega
White, snowboarding master, seemed the man to beat in this year’s men’s
Thomas is a senior studying accounting. You may contact him at gtwasson@gmail.com.
snowboard slopestyle and halfpipe. However, he unexpectedly withdrew from
summer), so naturally I have been glued to the TV with the Olympics in Sochi now underway. The Olympics, at risk of sounding cliché, is simply magical. The drama, the passion, the clutch performances, the awesome displays of skill and athleticism, the heartbreaks, and the triumphs of human spirit ensure that the Olympics are always entertaining. It is safe to say that Sochi has produced no shortage of such captivating moments… Oshie in Sochi Not quite the Miracle on Ice, but T.J. Oshie’s performance for the USA men’s hockey team in group play was remarkable. He pretty much beat Russia singlehandedly with the aid of some ice cold finishing. Oshie took six of the eight U.S. shots in a shootout and put away four, giving the Americans the win over the Kremlin’s monster squad. Hopefully this young stud will show out again in the semi-final game against reigning champs, Canada. Americans Sweep Slopestyle Skiing A new event was added to the games this year, and considering how darn entertaining it is, I wonder why it took this long. However with a dominant display, the first-ever Olympic men’s slopestyle ski competition was swept by the Americans. Joss Christensen, after pulling a 1260 spin, won gold, his buddy Gus Kenworthy silver, and Nick Goepper took bronze. The competition itself though was for lack of a better word, downright radical. It was definitely one of the most exciting events at the Games.
After excusing himself from the X-Games to narrow his focus on Sochi, Shaun
slopestyle to focus on the halfpipe event and still managed to only finish in 4th. Back to the drawing board, Shaun. Tinder Bender The most popular app among athletes in the Olympic Village? Why, Tinder, of course. What better way for these insanely fit, elite competitors to blow off steam and improve foreign relations than to hook up with each other? Many conservative people have expressed outrage over the promiscuity of the Olympians, but come on, they’ve earned a little relaxation. Putin Seems Human The most powerful man in the world has been all over the place at the Olympics, patting heads, shaking hands, cheering on competitors, and overall seeming like a relatable human being. This charming behavior is kind of unprecedented for the cold, stoic superman of the Motherland. He knows all eyes are on Russia right now, and he wants to improve his country’s image, especially with all the #SochiProblems floating about in the Twitter-verse and current involvement in Syria. There’s been much worry expressed about the treatment of LGBT athletes, the overall safety and quality of Russia’s infrastructure, the corruption regarding Olympic funds, and the overall questionable morals and policies of the Russians. Hopefully Russia can catch up to the rest of the world in these regards instead of simply sweeping things under the rug in typical fashion. However, despite all the issues, the Olympics have been an overall success. There’s been a lot of amazing stuff to happen so far, and there is potential for many more breathtaking moments. Be sure to keep watching, and go Team USA!
page 15