Russia confirms that anti-gay laws will be enforced during Sochi Winter Olympics

 by Joseph Patrick McCormick

  

The ministry, which controls the country’s police force, confirmed on Monday that the law will in fact be enforced, despite some confusion over whether it would remain in place.
President Vladimir Putin signed the law in June banning the promotion of “non-traditional relationships” toward minors, a move that has been criticised as part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community. Other laws banning the adoption of Russian children by foreign same-sex couples, and one which enables organizations receiving funding from abroad to be fined as “foreign agents”, were also passed.
The International Olympic Committee had previously claimed that it had received assurances from Russian Government officials that gay athletes would not be affected by the law.
An Interior Ministry statement issued on Monday said: “The law enforcement agencies can have no qualms with people who harbor a nontraditional sexual orientation and do not commit such acts [to 'promote' homosexuality to minors], do not conduct any kind of provocation and take part in the Olympics peacefully.”
The ministry did go on to claim that that approach did not constitute discrimination against gay people.
“Any discussion on violating the rights of representatives of nontraditional sexual orientations, stopping them from taking part in the Olympic Games or discrimination of athletes and guests of the Olympics according to their sexual orientation is totally unfounded and contrived,” it continued.
Many have raised concerns over the meaning behind the language used in the laws, and the definition thereof.
Keep in mind, the IOC has already stated it will strictly enforce Rule 50 if the Olympic rules against any athlete who displays a gay flag or gay supportive pin.
Amazingly however, they haven't mentioned Russia's violation of the Olympic charter which states in article 2:
 "The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity."