Showing posts with label gay athletes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gay athletes. Show all posts

Monday, August 12, 2013

Sochi Olympics: Russia Says No Discrimination for Gay Athletes


BBC: Russian officials say gay athletes competing in next year's winter Olympics will not face discrimination despite a controversial new law on gay propaganda, Russian media reported.

Such concerns were "completely unfounded", the interior ministry said, quoted by Interfax news agency.

Olympic committee chief Jacques Rogge recently asked Russia to clarify how the law might affect the Sochi games.

The law prescribes fines for providing information on homosexuality to minors.

Critics say its loose interpretation effectively hinders any kind of public gay rights event in Russia.

The ministry said that officials would act during the games - as at any other time - to protect children "from the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations".

But it added that there would be no issue with "people who adhere to non-traditional sexual orientation but do not engage in these activities, nor stage any provocations, and take part peacefully in Olympic events together with everyone else".

The ministry said concerns over discrimination towards gay athletes at the games were "completely unfounded and unsubstantiated". » | Monday, August 12, 2013