August 13, 2013 | Sex & Society

IOC warns athletes not to be political at Sochi games

Are gay athletes and tourists really going to feel welcome at the upcoming Sochi Games?

Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) promised gay and lesbian athletes that it had "received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the games."

Yesterday, Russia's Interior Ministery -  which controls the police force - said that no such promise had been made, and that the police would be enforcing the country's controversial anti-gay law at the Games.

"If a person does not put across his views in the presence of children, no measures against him can be taken," the head of Russia's National Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov added. "People of nontraditional sexual orientations can take part in the competitions and all other events at the Games unhindered, without any fear for their safety whatsoever." 

In other words: stay in the closet and you'll be fine.

Some athletes still plan on taking a stand during the Olympics, such as wearing a rainbow pin or flag. But they may run afoul of the IOC, itself.

While openly petitioning the Russians to protect LGBT athletes, the IOC is also sending out signals that it will not tolerate political positioning at the Games.

When asked by Gay Star News about out athletes wearing pins or carrying flags, the IOC pointed to rule 50 of the IOC’s charter: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

"Regarding your suggestions (about wearing pins), the IOC has a clear rule laid out in the Olympic Charter (Rule 50) which states that the venues of the Olympic Games are not a place for proactive political or religious demonstration," explained an IOC spokeswoman. "This rule has been in place for many years and applied when necessary.

"In any case, the IOC would treat each case individually and take a sensible approach depending on what was said or done."

In other words: stay in the closet and you'll be fine. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?

Russia Confirms Anti-Gay Law Will Be Enforced at Olympics [Ria.ru]

Olympic Committee threatens to punish athletes who fight for gay Russians [Gay Star News]