Sochi 2014: Journalists live tweet the terrible state of media hotels ahead of Olympics
Stray dogs were reported in one room
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.With the Sochi 2014 Olympics just days away, members of the press are reporting that many of the hotels being built for them to stay in are unfinished, with some having yellow water coming out of the taps and others not even having a lobby yet.
The world's sporting media resembled grumpy Trip Advisor reviewers for one day only, posting photos on Twitter of themselves standing next to various dishevelled hotel rooms.
Complaints ranged from relatively trivial accommodation problems like broken doorknobs and dodgy curtain rails, to more serious ones like the lack of drinking water, having no internet (kind of important if you're reporting on the Olympics) or arriving to find there isn't even a room for you.
One German photographer told the AP that he arrived at his hotel to find construction workers and stray dogs still walking in and out of rooms.
The news comes in spite of the Games' huge budget, which has overran to a record $51 billion (£31 billion).
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has played down reports that various elements are not ready, insisting that the "stage is ready".
Sporting excellence is set to be overshadowed at this year's Games, not only by potential unfinished facilities but the debate raging over Russia's controversial anti-gay laws.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments