The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia will soon be upon us. An event that brings the world together for two weeks, or at least, that is the intent.
“The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination,” Olympic Chief Jacques Rogge said. So what about Russia’s most recent anti-gay law? The thinly veiled wording of the law doesn’t directly state this position, but the de facto practice is full force harassment of gays to the point where they only feel safe by concealing their sexual orientation in fear of recrimination.
The law is written as banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors” which was enough incentive for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to look no further and turn a blind eye toward what really happens on the streets of Russia.
It is likely that gay Olympic athletes will feel the sting of this law as Russia will be on their best behavior. However, the IOC will forbid any athlete from showing opposition to these policies from doing so. They hid behind Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter that states, “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
A completely understandable rule, it sets up a “leave your worries at the door” type of environment. It allows the whole globe to stand united.
But publically supporting LGBTQ rights is a completely different situation than Rule 50 aims to cover.
There are rules and then there are human rights concerns, and human rights can never be compromised.
Article Four of the Olympic charter states, “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”
The IOC is based on equality and tolerance. They should be leading the charge against this outrageous situation.
Instead, they have yet to act against these laws. They have stood by and enforced them, threatening disqualification for athletes who fail to comply with these laws. They won’t even allow their athletes to wear rainbow pins.
The IOC is taking a stand against athletes trying to tear down the walls of discrimination, athletes just trying to show their support. Coming together as a representation of world community is part of what the Olympic spirit is about.
So how does an organization that creates Article four turn around towards and enforce a law that disagrees with every single one of those principles.
Athletes should not have to walk into a competition when they are not allowed to fully be themselves, let alone where their own organization is not on their side.
