US Athletes--Russian Anti-Gay Law "Embarrassing"

Skier Bode Miller and other athletes speak out against Russian anti-gay legislation at Team USA Media Summit.

Miller, who has won five medals in four Olympic Games, and figure skater Ashley Wagner were the most vocal critics of the law, while some athletes stood behind the U.S. Olympic Committee statement or shied away from the topic altogether at the Park City, Utah, gathering.

"I think it’s absolutely embarrassing that there are countries and people who are that intolerant and that ignorant, but it’s not the first time," Miller said. "We’ve been dealing with human rights issues probably since there were humans."

Miller added that it is unfortunate that politics and sports are always intertwined "even though people try to keep them separate or try to act like they’re separate," but said it was "crappy that we don’t have a better system of dealing with that stuff."

Wagner, a two-time U.S. champion who has never made an Olympic team, said that she was "so nervous to even talk about this," but felt compelled to condemn the law because she has gay family members and friends in the LGBT community.

"I have such a firm stance on this, and I really feel all should have equal rights," Wagner said. "I obviously do not support the legislation in Russia, but at the same time It’s not my place to go into Russia and tell them how to run their country. I’m just an athlete, but I believe that the best way that you can really show your support for the community is just to even speak about it."

Wagner said she feels that a lot of activists and people in the LGBT community believe that because Olympic athletes "have this big platform that we need to make something of it."

However, she is well aware of the IOC Charter, which prohibits political statements on the field of play. She also is determined to focus on her competition if she makes it to Sochi.

"I have a good head on my shoulders and I would never do anything to ruin my Olympic chances," Wagner said.

She said other athletes refrain from speaking out "because it’s inconvenient to talk about it, but it’s something that I feel so strongly about I can’t keep quiet."

Figure skater Jeremy Abbott, who is vying for a spot in men’s singles, also said he disagreed with the legislation.

"It does go against my personal beliefs," he said. "However I am really excited about the prospect of going to Sochi as an athlete ambassador of the U.S. All of us fully intend to represent our country and our sport with absolute grace, class and dignity as we always do."

The Summit was not even an hour old when Evan Lysacek, the 2010 Olympic gold medalist, was the first athlete at the Summit to answer a question about the legislation. He said he preferred to leave it up to the USOC to comment.

"I think that one voice is the most powerful with political matters like this," he said, adding, "They’re doing everything they can to keep athletes safe and we’ve been assured that everyone’s rights will be protected during the course of the Games."

Figure skater Gracie Gold, the U.S. runner-up, also let the USOC statement speak for her.

"It’s definitely a hot topic that will be addressed a lot," she said. "I know the USOC has the athlete's best interest in mind and I trust them."

Agnes Zawadzki said she wants to make the U.S. team to show she is proud to be an American, but said, "I’m not there to make a difference. I want to focus on myself and on what I have to do to compete well at the Olympics."

U.S. men’s champion Max Aaron took the rosiest view, "No matter what happens over there, we’re all going to have a great time."

Billy Demong, who won Olympic gold and silver in Nordic combined in Vancouver, had practiced what he wanted to say on the subject of the anti-gay legislation.

"It’s hard because obviously I support civil liberties," Demong said. "I’ve got plenty of lesbian and gay friends and I see from my perspective no reason for them to not be legally recognized as a union, just like anybody else."

Demong said he hoped the situation would change in Russia just as it has improved in the U.S. despite continued opposition.

"But I also as an athlete selfishly hope that we’re able to focus on what we go to Sochi to do," he said, "because we’ve all worked so long and so hard."

Noelle Pikus-Pace, who was fourth in skeleton in Vancouver, steered clear of the debate. "I have enough to worry about with my two kids and getting down the track fast," she said, "so I try to just distance myself from it."

Bobsled gold medalist Steve Holcomb also tries to stay away from human rights issues, but said he had heard people talk about a boycott. "You want my opinion? The Russians would love it if we didn’t show up," he said. "They would be like,’Sweet. Holcomb’s not coming.’That’s one more medal for us.’ It would be so much better to go over there and kick their (butt). That would be so much more powerful."

Wagner said the USOC has done an "excellent job of briefing us on the situation" and did not instruct athletes on how to address the topic.

USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky tells Around the Rings that the organization sent two letters from CEO Scott Blackmun to NGBs, athletes, the athletes’ advisory council, sponsors and other members of the Olympic family regarding the law.

"While we fundamentally disagree with the law as the U.S. Olympic Committee and don’t believe the law is reflective of the Olympic Charter or the Olympic spirit," Sandusky said, "our focus is on bringing our team to the Games, having them be prepared so that they can be successful at the Games and ensuring that anybody who comes as part of Team USA as a supporter or an athlete is safe while they are in Russia.

"We don’t go and say to the athletes, ‘This is what you have to say.’ We try to get them to understand the issue and understand what our position is on it. Obviously, our athletes have their own opinions and can make them, but we want to ensure that they know where the USOC stands."

Athletes have also been briefed during the ambassador training program.

"As the situation could evolve, we will continue to update them on the situation," Sandusky said. "We keep working closely with the IOC to understand what the full extent of the law means and we will communicate anything we learn about that to our athletes."

Written byKaren Rosen

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