Chris Maduewesi
Member
President of the International Olympic Committee,Jacques Rogge has joined in criticising Russian athlete Yelena Isinbayeva,over the comments she made in support of Russia’s new anti-gay laws.
The world Pole Vault champion,drew widespread criticisms after she lambasted Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer for painting their fingernails in rainbow colours, a symbol of gay pride.
The IOC had to get assurances from Russia for next year’s Sochi winter Olympics,following it’s new law that was signed in June, banning the distribution of the so-called gay propaganda to children.
Rogge said that he was disappointed with the actions of Isinbayeva: “It was disappointing,” he said.
“Fortunately she reacted to that and addressed that by second declaration. But she should not have done that. She should not have intervened with such words and such a debate. It was definitely an ill-advised judgment.”
When asked how the law would affect the Sochi Winter Olympics,Rogge said that they got the assurances they needed from the Russian Sports Ministry.
“We are staging the games in a sovereign, independent country and we have to respect the sovereignty. But at the same time we are urging the Russian government to make sure there is no discrimination on sexual inclinations.
“The situation for the IOC is quite simple. We have asked the Russian authorities to give us assurances that it won’t affect athletes, spectators and officials. We have received these assurances from very high up in the government, from the deputy Prime Minister, Mr Kozak, who is also in charge of the organisation of Sochi.
“They tell us the right of being homosexual is enshrined in the constitution of the Russian Federation. They tell us the law is about distributing information on homosexuality to minors under the age of 18 and that there is no discrimination.”
“We are now going to communicate that to the National Olympic Committees and the athletes because they are concerned about the performance they can have in six months’ time [in Sochi].”
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The world Pole Vault champion,drew widespread criticisms after she lambasted Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer for painting their fingernails in rainbow colours, a symbol of gay pride.
The IOC had to get assurances from Russia for next year’s Sochi winter Olympics,following it’s new law that was signed in June, banning the distribution of the so-called gay propaganda to children.
Rogge said that he was disappointed with the actions of Isinbayeva: “It was disappointing,” he said.
“Fortunately she reacted to that and addressed that by second declaration. But she should not have done that. She should not have intervened with such words and such a debate. It was definitely an ill-advised judgment.”
When asked how the law would affect the Sochi Winter Olympics,Rogge said that they got the assurances they needed from the Russian Sports Ministry.
“We are staging the games in a sovereign, independent country and we have to respect the sovereignty. But at the same time we are urging the Russian government to make sure there is no discrimination on sexual inclinations.
“The situation for the IOC is quite simple. We have asked the Russian authorities to give us assurances that it won’t affect athletes, spectators and officials. We have received these assurances from very high up in the government, from the deputy Prime Minister, Mr Kozak, who is also in charge of the organisation of Sochi.
“They tell us the right of being homosexual is enshrined in the constitution of the Russian Federation. They tell us the law is about distributing information on homosexuality to minors under the age of 18 and that there is no discrimination.”
“We are now going to communicate that to the National Olympic Committees and the athletes because they are concerned about the performance they can have in six months’ time [in Sochi].”
Continue reading...
