If schadenfreude were an Olympic sport, the Internet would have already earned a gold medal.
Ever since journalists first began touching down in the Winter Games' host city earlier this week, "Sochi problems" has been the hottest conversation topic out of Russia.
Instead of snowboarding, we've seen putrid tap water. Instead of skiing, we've seen dilapidated hotel rooms still under construction. Instead of bobsledding, we've seen toilets that can't flush paper. And that's not even mentioning the journalist who took to Twitter in hopes of trading three light bulbs (precious commodities at his hotel) for a door handle.
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Just how popular has the piling on-become? Through Thursday morning, the hashtag #SochiProblems had been mentioned on social media platforms more than "Team USA," "Putin" or "opening ceremony," according to the online marketing and monitoring company Digimind.
But the unquestioned star of this Haterade binge has been the aptly-named @SochiProblems Twitter account. Its premise is simple -- aggregate and retweet photos showing Sochi's bad side. The content is sometimes sad and disturbing. It's often funny, in a dark sort of way. It's almost always a hit.
The account has boomed to 91,000 followers since posting its first tweet just two days ago, on Feb. 4. As of Thursday morning, @SochiProblems was adding thousands of followers per hour. If the attention continues, it could pass the official @Sochi2014 account, which has 125,000 followers, before Friday's opening ceremony.
Here's a taste of why @SochiProblems has become so popular:
We paid for 3 Sochi hotel rooms days ago,then left for 2 days on a trip (with the keys!). Came back to find guests living in all 3 rooms.— Ivan Watson (@IvanCNN) February 6, 2014
#Sochi2014 because who doesn't want to use a public restroom with completely mirrored ceilings? thanks shayba arena! pic.twitter.com/dTcFWseIAu— Steph Stricklen (@StephStricklen) February 6, 2014
A lot of complaints about the accommodations. This is the foyer of my apartment. #SochiProblems pic.twitter.com/gKnxCywKF0— Mark Connolly (@MarkConnollyCBC) February 6, 2014
Remember - elevator is the equipment of increased danger! #sochi pic.twitter.com/L8AWidzAOq— Matt Galloway (@mattgallowaycbc) February 6, 2014
Luckily for @jianghomeshi, I have extra lightbulb but need doorknob in return. #SochiProblems #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/s67850uTuj— Sochi Problems (@SochiProblems) February 5, 2014
@HarryCNN having no luck in Sochi. #SochiProblems #Sochi #Sochi2014 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/kDkVu5KyiC— Sochi Problems (@SochiProblems) February 4, 2014
No flush, must play basketball with used toilet paper. #SochiProblems #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/tHus7WfgtH— Sochi Problems (@SochiProblems) February 4, 2014