Russia Prepares to Host 2018 World Cup as Costs Mount

MOSCOW — Even as the World Cup wraps up on today in Rio de Janiero, preparations are well under way for the next tournament, which Russia will host in 2018. President Vladimir Putin will be on hand for the final match between Germany and Argentina to take the baton, another step in his quest to use mega-sporting events as part of his effort to restore his country’s prestige in the world. Yet even four years out, alarm bells are blaring that Russia has not learned from its experience in hosting this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi. The Sochi Olympics were…