Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Russia Will Not Suspend Anti-Gay Legislation For 2014 Sochi Olympic Games: Official

 The Huffington Post  |  By

Despite assurance by the International Olympic Committee July 26 that attendees of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi would not be held under the jurisdiction of Russia's anti-gay legislation, the law's co-sponsor is now articulating a different set of circumstances. Vitaly Milonov, the politician responsible for the "gay propaganda" ban in St. Petersburg later adopted by the country as a whole, claims that the law cannot be selectively enforced nor suspended.
In an interview with Interfax, Milonov stated:
I haven’t heard any comments from the government of the Russian Federation, but I know that it is acting in accordance with Russian law. And if a law has been approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no right to suspend it. It doesn’t have the authority.
In effect, it seems as if foreign athletes and spectators at the 2014 Olympic Games will, in fact, be subject to the legalities of Russia's recent stream of anti-LGBT legislation. Signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on June 30, the legislation gives the Russian government agency to detain gay or "pro-gay" foreigners up to 14 days before facing expulsion from the country.
Perhaps most disturbing out of this recent interview with Milonov is the claim that he has "spoken with many American politicians" and that "they support the stance I’ve taken on this issue." He also cites support from German legislators surrounding the anti-gay crackdown.
In a statement released on July 17 to the Windy City Times, the International Olympic Committee attempted to prevent the high-publicity nature of Russia's anti-gay legislation and activity from affecting the 2014 Olympic games.

The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation,...The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle.
Milinov's statements and the fact he say's he has support from both American and German politicians (whose names should be sought out and publicized) I think, is more than sufficient grounds for the Olympics to be moved.
What's clear, is that the IOC is either lying or at the very least hasn't received proper assurances from the Russian government or... the the Russian government is lying to the IOC.
Either way, I can't see how the IOC can legitimately say they can assure the safety of it's athletes or those foreigners planning to attend the Olympics.   

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

IOC isn't going to do jack-shit until they feel the pressure from sponsors....which is exactly who need to hear from anyone who believes the actions of Russia are anti-humanity.

I for one would be thrilled-to-no-end to see a stream of major sponsors cancel their contract and pull out of the Winter Olympics!

-Gregorio

Anonymous said...

IOC isn't going to do jack-shit until they feel the pressure from sponsors....which is exactly who need to hear from anyone who believes the actions of Russia are anti-humanity.

I for one would be thrilled-to-no-end to see a stream of major sponsors cancel their contract and pull out of the Winter Olympics!

-Gregorio