Olympic Sponsors React to Anti-Russia Sentiment

Olympic Sponsors Under Pressure

It appears, this week, Olympic sponsors will feel the force of negative public opinion over the controversial anti-gay law in Russia. ​

In a statement to Around the Rings, Coca-Cola rejected criticisms of its sponsorship of the Sochi Olympics.

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The soft drink giant didn’t specifically mention the critiques or the law itself. However, Coca-Cola did say it has a long history as a "strong supporter" of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 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.

"We support the ideals of the Olympics and are proud to continue our role in helping to make the Olympics a memorable experience for athletes, fans and communities all around the world."

On Wednesday, a New York-based gay rights group will stage a protest against Coca-Cola. ​

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The group, Queer Nation NY, has called the event "Coke: Don’t Sponsor Hate."

The protest will take place in Times Square at 12:00 PM local time on Wednesday. The group is using the Twitter hashtag #DumpCoke to promote the event. ​

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A statement from Visa, another major sponsor, said it is "engaged with the IOC on this important topic" but did not specifically mention the law or planned opposition to its sponsorship.

"As an Olympic TOP Partner, we believe in the spirit of the Games and its unique ability to unite the world in a way that is positive and inspirational," the statement said.

"We are engaged with the IOC on this important topic and acknowledge its recent statement that it has received strong written reassurances from the Russian government that everyone will be welcome at the Games in Sochi regardless of their sexual orientation. We also continue to support the IOC’s stance that sport is a human right and the Games should be open to all spectators, officials, media, and athletes, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation."

Democracy for Action, a pro-liberal political organization in the United States, sent an email on Monday to its membership urging them to sign a petition calling Visa to speak out against the law.

DFA said in its email: "Visa gladly spends marketing dollars reaching out to the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community, and even put their name on the ‘Rainbow Platinum Plus Visa Card.’

"It’s time for Olympic sponsors like Visa to put their mouth where their money is and stand by their support for the LGBT community when it matters most. Visa has the power to compel the Olympic Committee to act, but only if they feel enough pressure."

An editorial in Bloomberg also urges sponsors to act.

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The editors for the news service say the IOC has shown "no such inclination" to force Russia to change the law. If Olympic sponsors and broadcasters don’t, "they may find themselves in an embarrassing mess," they write.

"Coca-Cola Co., McDonald’s Corp. and Visa Inc. will be tied to an officially anti-gay Olympics," the editorial said.

IOC Presidential Reaction

IOC president Jacques Rogge tells ATR, Olympians will be free to compete in Sochi, regardless of their sexual orientation. ​

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"The document clarifies a lot of issues that we are now going to communicate to the National Olympic Committees and the athletes because before there was an uncertainty," Rogge said to ATR recently about a letter he received clarifying the government’s position. ​

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"The document is very clear – it says foremost that gay and lesbian people will be allowed to participate in Sochi. The Russian document says very clearly that there can be no discrimination for sexual orientation in the constitution of the Russian Federation and that’s a very important factor."

Team Canada Hockey Star Speaks Out

Canadian hockey star Sidney Crosby is against Russia’s anti-gay law.

Crosby spoke to the press during the kickoff for Canada’s Olympic team training camp.

"I think that everyone has an equal right to play and I think we've been supportive of that.

"With the Olympics and the controversy around that, I think those decisions and those laws aren't necessarily something that I agree with personally."

Team Canada continues its training in Calgary as the countdown to Sochi 2014 nears its five-months-to-go mark.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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