Anti-Coke Protests; IPC Presidential Race; Brits Announce First Olympians

Anti-Coke Olympic Sponsorship Protest

A New York-based gay rights group, Queer Nation NY, staged a protest today, demanding Coca-Cola end its sponsorship of the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Organizers estimated one hundred demonstrators turned out, dumping out Coke and crushed cans to protest the company’s sponsorship, even with the controversial Russian anti-gay law on the books.

"By sponsoring the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Coca-Cola is associating its brands with state-sanctioned gay-bashing," said Queer Nation co-founder Alan Klein in a statement to the press.

Klein added, "Coca-Cola is sacrificing the safety and security of Russian LGBT people for profit – a position that opposes fundamental Olympic principles, runs counter to the International Olympic Committee charter, and that will tarnish its global image for decades to come."

Queer Nation member Duncan Osborne spoke with Around the Rings, saying: "Other nations shouldn't be giving Russia any legitimacy and sponsors should not do so as well.

"Coca-Cola, in particular, made this error once before when it sponsored the Games in Nazi Germany in 1936. That company knows better and it should immediately end its sponsorship."

In a statement to ATR on Tuesday, Coca-Cola said it has a long history as a "strong supporter" of the LGBT community.

"We do not condone human rights abuses, intolerance, or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world," the statement said.

"As a partner since 1928, we believe the Olympic Games are a force for good that unite people through a common interest in sports, and we have seen firsthand the positive impact and long-lasting legacy they leave on every community that has been a host."

Two Candidates for Paralympic President

Alan Dickson will challenge Phillip Craven for the International Paralympic Committee's Presidency.

Dickson was nominated by The Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association. He is the former president of the Association.

Craven has been IPC President since 2001.

There are two nominations for Vice President, and 27 nominations for Member at Large for the Governing Board.

Elections will take place on November 24 at the IPC General Assembly in Athens.

Great Britain Selects First Olympians

The British Olympic Association selected the first members of Team GB for Sochi 2014.

Eve Muirhead will skip the women’s curling team, and joining her are Claire Hamilton, Vicki Adams, and Anna Sloan. Muirhead was on the British curling team that finished seventh in Vancouver.

"They are reigning World Champions and earned the right for Team GB to be represented at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games with their performances at the past two World Championships," said Mike Hay, Team GB Chef de Mission.

"The 2013 season was their best ever, adding the Players’ Championships to their world crown so they know how to win and what it takes to be successful at major events."

IJF Launches Academy

The International Judo Federation launched an Academy to help professionalize coaches.

Running from September to December will teach "theoretical aspects" of judo online in addition to a one-week practical course at Semmelweis University in Hungary.

"Our aim is to improve level of coaching and education. We need judo education to be at a curriculum level to develop the quality of coaches," said IJF Sports Director Daniel Lascau.

"I believe the IJF has made a big step by introducing the academy, and, ultimately, it will lead to the development of judoka at the recreational and elite level."

Written by Ed Hula III.

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