Russian government assured the International Olympic Committee that the Sochi 2014 Olympics will be exempt from legislation banning the promotion of homosexuality, the IOC told R-Sport on Friday.
“As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media,” the IOC said in an emailed statement to the Russian news outlet. “To that end, the IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”
Russia passed a law in June banning gay “propaganda.” It prompted protests, even calls to boycott the Games by some. Two-time U.S. Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, an enthusiast of all things Russian who came out as gay in 2011, wrote in his weekly newspaper column that he does not think there should be a boycott.
The IOC also made a similar statement on the issue last week.
“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 jeopardise this principle.
“As you know, this legislation has just been passed into law and it remains to seen whether and how it will be implemented, particularly as regards the Games in Sochi. As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media. Wider political issues in the country are best dealt with by other international organizations more suited to this endeavor.”
