The International Olympic Committee has joined the Russian Government in threatening to punish any Sochi Winter Olympics athlete who publicly supports gay equality. Russia has been internationally condemned for its introduction of laws which make it illegal to present homosexuality in a positive light to people under the age of eighteen. Russian politicians have said that any athlete or supporter who so much as wears a rainbow flag pin, as NZ's gay speed skater Blake Skjellerup plans to do, will be arrested. Now the IOC has weighed in, telling Gay Star News that the Olympics are not the place for political statements or propaganda. It says it will punish anyone who makes a pro-gay statement or shows solidarity with gay rights or draws attention to the plight of gays in Russia. The IOC uses the word "propaganda" in Rule 50 of its charter which it says underscores their position. The same word is prominent in the new Russian anti-gay laws.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th August 2013 - 11:30pm