At the last time Russia hosted an Olympics in Russian, half the world didn’t turn
up. Some sportspeople are calling for another boycott over the country’s
new anti-gay laws when Russia hosts the winter Olympics next year.
Athletes from countries around the world have quietly staged
their own gentle protests at the world athletics championships in
Moscow. Two Swedish athletes competed on Thursday with their fingernails
painted in rainbow colours.
We are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people in their country.
Russia’s glamour athlete and legend, Yelena Isinbayeva, said she was
strongly opposed to a boycott of next February's Sochi Olympics over the
controversial laws banning gay "propaganda" for minors and criticised
athletes for painting their nails be part of beauty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in June signed into law legislation
that punishes the dissemination of information about homosexuality to
minors but which activists say can be used for a broad crackdown against
gays.
The law does not simply explicitly ban participation in gay pride
parades or promotion of gay equality but anyone wearing a rainbow flag
or writing about gay relationships on social media, for instance, could
be accused of propagandising and face punishment.
American middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds, who won the
silver medal in the 800 metres, voiced his support for gay rights in a
blog before the World Championships began. Once in Moscow, Symmonds
didn't want to comment saying, "You're not allowed to talk about it
here. I'll get put in jail for it."
