I dunno, maybe it is the old Cold Warrior in me, maybe it is because I see Putin's Russia as being perhaps not as evil an empire as they once were but seeing little difference in their strong-man centralized government ways from their old Commie ways. Or maybe it is because he is ex-KGB and like The Mob there is never really any leaving it, they'll get rid of you when they have no more use for you, till then you're in for life.
Or perhaps it is because he believes in a Russian version of exceptionalism. Anyway, as for these games...the final tally means nothing...so long as Russia is not at the top.
“I think our team played very worthily. It seemed to me they were a class higher (than the U.S.), a little bit higher.” - Putin, after Loses in a shootout (mostly to TJ Oshie!) with Team USA.
TJ Oshie of Warroad,MN making Russian goalie Brobrovsky look silly.