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First Posted: 9/8/2013
(AP) The head of the Sochi Olympics asked the IOC on Sunday to help “stop this campaign and this speculation” related to the anti-gay law recently passed in Russia.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said the Olympic body will remind athletes to refrain from any protests or political gestures during the Feb. 7-23 games. The IOC’s top marketing official said sponsors are worried about possible demonstrations, which could “ruin a lot for all of us.”
Sochi organizing chief Dmitry Chernyshenko was asked at the IOC general assembly about the possible impact of the legislation that bans gay “propaganda.”
He said the Russian government had made clear the law would not affect the games, and he urged the IOC to convey the message to “those who are still trying to speculate on this very transparent and very clear topic.”
“It’s very important to have your support to stop this campaign and this speculation regarding this issue,” Chernyshenko said.
Russia’s law prohibiting promotion of “nontraditional” sexual relations has been denounced by activists and criticized by President Barack Obama. Activists have called for a boycott of the Sochi Games, although Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron have ruled that out.
Chernyshenko reiterated that the law doesn’t ban homosexuality in any way and “doesn’t contradict any element of the Olympic Charter.”
He noted that President Vladimir Putin has assured that the Russian constitution “guarantees the equality of rights and freedom for everybody” in the country, including guests, visitors, athletes, fans and the Olympic family.
“We are absolutely confident that there will be no conflicts in that regards,” he said. “It will not stop (Sochi) 2014 from proudly upholding the Olympic values, I promise you.”
Rogge said the IOC is satisfied with Russia’s explanations of the law so far.
“The constitution of the Russian federations allows for homosexuality,” he said. “And we have received strong reassurances that this law will not affect participants in the Sochi Games.”
Chernyshenko cited comments by Putin in a recent interview with The Associated Press at his country residence outside Moscow. Putin sought to ease concerns the law would be used to punish athletes who display rainbow flags during the games, while insisting that gays are not discriminated against in his country.
“I assure you that I work with these people, I sometimes award them with state prizes or decorations for their achievements in various fields,” Putin said.
The law, which Putin signed in July, makes it illegal to expose minors to information that portrays these relationships as normal or attractive. The law imposes hefty fines, while also subjecting foreign citizens to up to 15 days in prison.
Putin has no intention of allowing a gay pride parade during the Olympics. He recently signed a decree banning all demonstrations and rallies in Sochi throughout the Winter Games.
Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg, chairman of the IOCs marketing commission, cited concerns from sponsors about possible demonstrations.
“Lately there has been a lot of discussion, especially in Western Europe and in the United States, and I’m being pushed by several of the sponsors asking what will happen with this new law in Russian in connection with the gay community,” he said. “We are not to try to change anything over the laws in Russia. We will of course accept this as internal Russian decision. But what will the consequences be?”
Heiberg cited Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which says “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
“We have to be prepared,” he said. “We can see many ways this could happen. I heard a lot from the sponsors, especially the American sponsors, what they are afraid of could happen.
“I think this could ruin a lot for all of us. We have to be prepared. We have to stick to Rule 50 in the Olympic Charter. But again, be prepared. I hope this can be discussed. … Hopefully we will start a discussion knowing how to handle whatever might happen in this.”
Rogge said athletes would be immediately reminded about their responsibility to abide by the IOC regulations related to protests in the charter.
“Definitely this is important in terms of informing the athletes about the responsibility of Rule 50,” Rogge said. “We are going to do this immediately after this session, the same way we have done it before the Beijing Games, to inform the athletes and the national Olympic committees of the rules of rule 50.”
As Sochi officials made their presentation, a few dozen people protested against the gay law outside the Russian embassy in Buenos Aires. They draped security barriers with rainbow flags and held a banner which said “Homophobia Kills.”
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Associated Press