Media Watch - The Nation Investigates Putin's "Mafia Olympics"; CBC Sports on IOC Presidential Race

The Nation reports on Putin’s "Mafia Olympics" and the "billions in disappeared spending" for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

A detailed report issued by Russian opposition leaders in May, declares Putin’s businessmen and various supporters have "stolen up to $30 billion from funds intended for Olympic preparations."

The Nation’s David Zirin fears this Winter Olympics in Sochi could go down in history as the "most audacious act of embezzlement in human history."

In a YouTube announcement this week, Al Jazeera World highlights a report: "Winter of Discontent".

As Russia prepares for the 2014 Winter Olympics, AJW describes the "powerful memories and strong emotions" provoked by the chosen location for the Winter Games.

According to AJW, Sochi was the last territory conquered by the Russian Empire’s military forces during the late 1800s. Descendants of those ‘dispossessed’ during the Russian take-over "believe one million Circassians were driven out and 1.5 million killed."

Campaigners now advocate for the world to recognize this historic land occupation as genocide.

USA Today features Atlanta’s own Turner Field in a countdown ranking "major leagues’ 30 parks from worst to best."

Entering the countdown at 22, Turner Field is recognized as the former Centennial Olympic Stadium which hosted events during the 1996 Summer Games.

The Macau Daily Times discusses the recent IOC decision to exclude Wushu from the list of official sports for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Zeng Tie Ming, head coach for the Wushu General Association of Macau, is reportedly not ‘disappointed but questions the IOC’s integrity’ following the decision.

PRI’s The World highlights concerns for Brazil as the country prepares for 2016 Olympics and World Cup. Not only will Brazil potentially face "threats from civil unrest" but also "the threat of terrorism."

Following events like the Boston Marathon bombing, Rio officials say security is a "top priority."

The recently opened Rio Operations Center will monitor weather, traffic, and other possible security threats by utilizing 400 cameras throughout the city.

NPR interviews "The Olympic Project" pioneers Jon Pack and Gary Hustwit, to investigate what occurs after a city hosts the Olympics.

Pack and Hustwit began exploring former Olympic host cities after hearing the ‘price tag’ for the 2008 Beijing Games: "After it was over I still couldn't wrap my head around it, and so I tried to see if there was a project there," said Pack.

Despite excitement that typically accompanies a city’s Olympic bid, Pack and Hustwit also see the event’s polarizing effects on the city.

"Everyone likes to have a great party," said Hustwit, "But after two weeks ... I think it's a different reality for the people who live there."