Russian World Cup city razes 'love it or hate it' Soviet-era landmark

[rooster59]

Russian World Cup city razes 'love it or hate it' Soviet-era landmark

By Denis Pinchuk

 

The unfinished and abandoned TV tower collapses during a controlled demolition in Yekaterinburg, Russia March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Alexei Kolchin

 

YEKATERINBURG/MOSCOW (Reuters) - As Russia hurries to spruce up its venues for this year's soccer World Cup, the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on Saturday blew up its most famous landmark -- a rusty, half-finished Soviet-era television tower.

 

Local authorities in 11 host cities including Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi and Yekaterinburg are working hard on preparations for the June 14-July 15 tournament, but not all residents are happy with their beautifying efforts.

 

In Yekaterinburg, hundreds of people opposed to the television tower's demolition by controlled explosion took part in a "Hug the Tower" rally earlier this week.

 

Ivan Volkov, a 39-year-old lawyer and head of a committee opposing the tower's destruction, said the 220-metre (720 feet) high concrete structure had been a symbol of the city's identity.

 

"Now it's the symbol of the people's humiliation at the hands of the authorities because the decision was made behind-the-scenes. It shouldn't be done this way", Volkov, told Reuters.

 

The tower's construction started in 1983 but it was never completed due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

 

Local governor Eugene Kuivashev defended the decision to demolish it.

 

"No one seriously believes that the city needs such a symbol," he said in a radio interview.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-25

[geriatrickid]

Ahh yes, the World Cup. How fitting that one of the most corrupt events should be held in a country run by organized crime.

[FritsSikkink]

48 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Ahh yes, the World Cup. How fitting that one of the most corrupt events should be held in a country run by organized crime.

where should it be held according to you?

[blazes]

2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

where should it be held according to you?

Somewhere corruption-free?

 

Oh....

[Different]

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

soccer World Cup,

It is called football because in real football any player touches the ball with his hand except for the goalkeeper is considered foul.

Whereas wrongly called American football is acutely an English game called and still called rugby .

 

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

Ivan Volkov, a 39-year-old lawyer and head of a committee opposing the tower's destruction, said the 220-metre (720 feet) high concrete structure had been a symbol of the city's identity.

1000 miles journey starts with a step, maybe after Putin the thug dies things will gradually start to change positively.

[juice777]

I am still hoping that all Nato countries pull out.And all other countries follow, but then I suppose only Russia will be left and they will probably still play and claim A great victory for mother Russia.

 

 

 

 

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