The 2014 Sochi Olympic mega-project and Russia's political economy

摘要: This article examines Russia's political economy through the prism of mega-projects, using 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics as a case study. Such projects help leaders promote country's image abroad, define development priorities for urban landscape, and gain support incumbent regime. Events like to justify overall economic systems funnel state resources specific regions. By setting investment goals implementing closed system that allows little public input accountability, mega-projects create numerous corruption opportunities. Ultimately, this works benefit small group elites, with uncertain contributions larger population.