In 2014, the Russian resort of Sochi will host the Winter Olympics. But already this mega-event looks set to cost Russian taxpayers more money than the combined costs of the last three Winter Olympics, and up to 4,000 local residents face evictions with compensation far below current market values.

The environmental organisation Greenpeace has filed a suit with Russia’s Supreme Court to block the construction of sporting facilities and infrastructure around the city of Sochi that is bidding to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Greenpeace wants to protect unique Alpine forest in the Western Caucasus which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999.