IOC Athletes Commission Chair Criticizes Controversial Russian Anti-Gay Law

(ATR) The head of the IOC Athletes Commission offers a careful response to Russia’s anti-gay legislation.

Speaking to Around the Rings, Claudia Bokel says that the Olympics should be "open to all" and respect the values of the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Charter states that "sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation."

"The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes," she said. "We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle."

Despite their careful warning, Bokel’s comments may be the strongest yet from an IOC official regarding the evolving controversy.

The law bans discussion and displays of so-called "non-traditional" relationships around minors. Symbols like rainbow flags and pins are also illegal. Under the law, athletes and spectators could be jailed for 15 days and even deported during the Games for being "pro gay."

The law has attracted attention from IOC presidential candidates, the United States Congress, and human rights organizations after Russian politicians defied the IOC by claiming there will be no special treatment for visiting lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LBGT) athletes and fans during the Sochi Games.

Bokel said it remained to be seen whether and how the law would be implemented for the Sochi Games.

"As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media," she continued.

"To that end, the IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games."

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said to Around the Rings in email "at this stage it's all a bit unclear and hypothetical" what may happen. Adams pointed out that a spokesperson for Russian Deputy Prime Minster Dmitry Kozak, who oversees the government’s work for the Olympics, has said the law will be suspended for the Games.

When news of the law first surfaced in July, assurances were granted that the law would not apply to Olympic visitors in Sochi. However, one of the law’s sponsors said that the law could not be suspended for any reason.

Campaigns and lobby groups bidding to protect the rights of the LGBT community have expressed outrage at the law in recent days. They were encouraged by a letter urging U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry to ensure the safety of LGBT athletes and fansattending the 2014 Olympics, which was signed by 83 members of Congress.

The controversy, which has led to calls for a boycott of the Games from some gay-rights activists, seems likely to overshadow Wednesday’s six-month countdown celebrations to the Games.

Even celebrities such as Lady Gaga, who is openly bisexual, have blasted Russian authorities for the law.

The pop star took to Twitter, calling the Russian government "criminal" for the law, adding: "Oppression will be met with revolution. Russian LGBTs you are not alone. We will fight for your freedom." She later tweeted: "Why didn’t you arrest me when you had the chance, Russia? Because you didn’t want answer to the world."

However, openly-gay Olympic hopefuls Blake Skjellerup and Johnny Weir both rejected calls for a boycott on CNN.

"Definitely not" Skjellerup said when asked if there should be a boycott.

"I think a boycott is the worst possible thing we could do," Weir said. "Our presence will help more than a boycott."

IOC presidential contender Richard Carrion joined Ser Miang Ng in calling for a diplomatic resolution. Ng made comments about the issue at a briefing in London Monday.

Carrion told ATR: "We should use all the avenues possible for influence and diplomacy with Russian officials, so that this legislation will not create a problem for our athletes.

"I am confident that the discussions going on now with the Russian authorities will help clarify the extent of the law and will ensure that our athletes will be protected."

Carrion, who hopes to be elected the new IOC president on Sept. 10, proposed a change to the way cities were elected as Olympic hosts in the future.

"Looking ahead, a condition to getting the Olympics Games in the future should be to make sure the city does not have laws that discriminate against people in any way, consistent with the Olympic Charter," he told ATR.

The IOC member from Puerto Rico added: "I strongly believe in equal rights, including the right to practice sport, for every human regardless of race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation. The Olympic Games celebrate humanity through respect, friendship and excellence. And one of the deepest core values of the Olympic Movement is ‘sports as a human right.’ Nothing should ever stand in the way of that."

Carrion and Ng are among six contenders bidding to replace Jacques Rogge as IOC president. The other candidates are Thomas Bach, Denis Oswald, Sergey Bubka and C.K. Wu.

Reported by Mark Bisson.

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