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Half of Russian citizens approve of country hosting the Olympics

International flags fly near one of the official mascots of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Wednesday at the Amphitheatre Square in Sochi.
International flags fly near one of the official mascots of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Wednesday at the Amphitheatre Square in Sochi.
(Andrej Isakovic / AFP / Getty Images)
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SOCHI, Russia — With the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, it seems that Russians have mixed feelings about hosting the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The RIA Novosti news agency reported that only 53% of the people polled by the Levada Center in Moscow believe their country did the right thing by bidding for the Games.

Those in favor of the idea believe the massive sports competition will help unite the populace and improve the country’s image.

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But 26% did not want the Games here. “Opportunity for graft” was the most common reason given.

Twenty-one percent were undecided.

The Games will run from Friday through Feb. 23.

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