Over the past several weeks, one of the most disputed topics in the world of athletics has been the position of the United States on the anti-homosexual stance of Russia going into the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This has particularly escalated following the passage of a new law in Russia in June by President Vladimir Putin that opposed any nontraditional marriage propaganda, including the imposition of fines on any who attempt to hold gay pride rallies.
Following President Putin’s new legislation, an international outcry immediately ensued, and petitions to either boycott or relocate the 2014 Olympics have sprung up on a global scale. Especially in the United States, calls to boycott the Olympics have reached a fever pitch, and President Obama has been asked to proactively oppose Russia’s new stance on homosexuality. The United States is already on icy terms with Russia following Russia’s recent decision to grant temporary asylum to National Security Agency leaker, Eric Snowden, who has sought refuge outside the United States in order to avoid espionage charges. This prompted President Obama to cancel a much-discussed meeting with President Putin next month, going as far as to say that “there have been times when they slip back into Cold War thinking and a Cold War mentality”.
Despite President Obama’s recent disapproval of Russia’s actions, the president did not side with LGBT activists with his statement on the Sochi Olympic boycott yesterday, where he said “I do not think it’s appropriate to boycott the Olympics. We’ve got a bunch of Americans who are training hard, who are doing everything they can to succeed”. President Obama also would go on to add that one of the things he was looking forward to was the prospect of some gay and lesbian athletes bringing medals home, and that Russia’s anti-gay stance would only hinder their medaling opportunities.
Following President Obama’s statement, the United States Olympic Committee was quick to voice their support for the President with a statement of its own. In the statement, the USOC stated that they “fully support the comments today from President Obama rejecting calls to boycott the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Russia. They unite the world and break down barriers”. The full statement can be found on Team USA’s website at teamusa.org.
The President and the USOC are not alone in their opposition to a symbolic boycott of the Sochi Olympics. Just two days ago, four-time gold medalist and diving legend, Greg Louganis, wrote an essay that established his strong position against Russia’ anti-gay laws, but also simultaneously disapproved of an Olympic boycott. Louganis’ full essay can be found here.
Though Olympic hopefuls and sports enthusiasts can rejoice following President Obama’s and the USOC’s statements, the debate over the appropriate response to Russia’s anti-gay stance is far from over. Even in the case of Louganis, who is one of the most celebrated and beloved divers of all time, several angry individuals have joined in a backlash of the Olympian’s stance. Many have voiced their opinion that Louganis is selfish to take the athletes’ side and that there is a larger picture that needs to be recognized.
Passing judgement on whether or not President Obama and the USOC are correct to oppose the Sochi boycott is difficult to do, and it will be interesting to see how LGBT activists and other international authorities react in the weeks to come. President Obama is still scheduled to attend the upcoming G20 summit, and we will see if the Olympics are discussed any further at the international conference.
Donald Spellman: So where is the gay activist response to Muslims treatment of gays? Nowhere in your post do you ask for a ban of Muslim countries for their treatment of gays. Probabably afraid they will cut your head off. The hypocracy is staggering. Why do the Muslims always get a pass for behavior that would not be tolerated in this country.
I love how quickly this thread went to a bash Obama and Greg Louganis thread. Some of you really need to get off the computer, shut off Fox News, and interact with some face to face people a bit more.
The IOC is violating it’s own charter by not vocally coming out (pun) in a more supportive manner of it’s athletes, coaches, and officials (read the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism”). The IOC should be working on ensuring their safety and not allowing them to be harassed based on some reactionary and backwards laws of the host country. Look at how Carlos & Smith were treated in 1968 by the AAU & IOC (both under the influence of Nazi sympathizer… Read more »
I find it amusing that the same people that excuse the Muslims for their anti gay/women/Christian beliefs are so angered by Russia’s anti gay laws. I haven’t heard any gay activist demand that muslim countries be excluded from the olympics, or anything else for that matter. When it comes to Muslims it’s “stay out of their business.” Typical. Obama has made a political calculation for his decision on the Olympics–like he does EVERYTHING. He was against gay marriage before he was for it. Oh yeh–he has “evolved.”
Nazi Germany wanted people to believe that the Aryan was superior, luckily Jesse Owens was able to compete in Berlin winning 4 Gold. Allowing all of our athletes compete is the best defense against stupidity.
I was just thinking of Jesse Owens when I was reading this (before I read your comment). What a statement he made – and so can our athletes we are fighting a cause.
President Obama made the right decision. It is heartbreaking to see athletes who have trained hard for their whole lives to be let down by a country trying to make a political statement. It’s not right – and as we know, the boycotts don’t work.
Isn’t it ironic that in 1980, when we boycotted the Games, what the subject was that we were doing the boycotting for? Anyone remember? Afghanistan. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and we wanted to support the Afghans.Now look at who… Read more »
Beautifully stated.
Thank you.
I could retrieve some of them but Jesse Owens made many referring to his time in Germany.
In Germany he got to ride in the front of he bus , eat with whom he liked , use the same bathrooms & was fully acknowledged by the German public & authorities as a champion athlete. He received the same medals & ceremony as any other.
When he returned to America – it was back to the back of the bus & the usual standards of existing applicable to blacks wherever he was.
His story is brown around in the context of WW2 but it was not until they were desperate did the US allow blacks into their army.… Read more »
Good point. Don’t cast stones in glass houses. The Germans NEVER had black slaves in their history unlike the USA, Portugal, Spain, England, Italy, and France.
This is much ado about nothing.
And yet, no over POTUS who authorised bomber jets and drones to destroy homes and killed thousands of innocent women and children.
So much for freedom.
no outrage.
It is America’s right to kill anyone they want . The irony is that they are all silent because it is Obama . The Man With The Golden Drone.
They could do so much more with their technology – why not just zip out competitors in the lanes threatening American Olympic gold. Ooh no that kid is 1 min into her beam routine without an error & might beat Ms Wheaties that’s it – off with her .
The possibilities are endless. It is probably lucky for all of us they are fixated on gay rights . It may save us all.
I would like to see all US athletes go to the Olympics and be just as open (or quiet) about their sexuality as they feel like. The modern Olympics are largely about cross-cultural experiences, and I doubt Russia could actually throw another country’s Olympian in jail for speaking out.
Strange my comment disappeared! Varun was this intentional or a internet glitch?
it’s back clearly a glitch 😉
wow. such hatred on this thread to the LGBT community! As an out lesbian, I have cancelled travel plans to Russia. As a fan of the Olympics, I would be very upset if ANY nation boycotted. We’ve tried that before: didn’t work.
What Russia is doing is homophobia.
Please show me where Obama is promoting “the homosexual agenda” (which, btw, I’d like to know what that is since I’m not following it) to convert swimmers into being gay. Also, please provide the statistic to show that “most” medalists from the US were under 18 at the most recent Winter and Summer games.
And Varun, agreed, Louganis is simply one of the most beloved and remarkable divers. Up there with… Read more »
Agreed, it’s simply homophobia in Russia.
It’s not going to have an effect boycotting the Winter olympics.
Many countries make cultural choices (which may or may not be supported by their own public), just like in the states there are certain laws or cultural beliefs that others disagree with. It’s simply a choice not to go there.
Wasn’t sure of the tone in JG’s last comment and whether it was tongue and cheek?! if not, it makes no difference what there age is, promoting an individuals right at any age, to choose their sexuality is by no means promoting “gay sex to children”
I specifically referred to him including the beam & swimming which is in itself hilarious – hello potato head Winter is Winter.
The Chinese beam medallists was 16 in China years which means ……..if you don’t think swimming has under 18s at the Olympics – what are you doing here?
Louganis brought disrepute to the sport with his HIV non disclosure in Seoul. 1988 was a time when tens of thousands were dying of aids & exposure fears were very real. Note that until 2010 HIV people were not permitted to enter the US . So off he went to Korea leaving blood on the boards for his fellow competitors.