Sochi Olympics

[wa-loaf]

So this may tread on the political ...

Russia recently passed a pretty draconian anti-gay law and groups of thugs are going around beating up and kidnapping gays. The Sports minister just said that they would be enforcing that law at the Olympics (contrary to what the IOC said). Soo... what are the odds this Olympics either gets boycotted or is a complete disaster with athletes and fans getting arrested or beat up (even wearing a rainbow flag is illegal)?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/r...gay-law-for-athletes-fans-during-olympics.php

 

[Puck it]

Saw this. It could blow up if GAL groups want to bring up. Potentail is there.

 

[wa-loaf]

I don't see them being able to resist the urge to do that.

 

[Puck it]

I don't see them being able to resist the urge to do that.

I know I was trying to be nice. GAL tend to be in our face about it. And I really don't care.

I am ordering a straight pride flag though.

 

[Abubob]

So this may tread on the political ...

“An athlete of nontraditional sexual orientation isn’t banned from coming to Sochi,” Vitaly Mutko said in an interview with R-Sport, the sports newswire of state news agency RIA Novosti. “But if he goes out into the streets and starts to propagandize, then of course he will be held accountable.”

“The corresponding law doesn’t forbid non-traditional orientation, but other things: propaganda, involvement of minors and the youth.”

In other words - keep your sexual/political views to yourself and no one will get hurt. It seems that it doesn't stop homosexuality ie. nontraditional sexual orientation as much as it does "gay pride". In other words - If you got it, don't flaunt it. In other words - Keep it in the closet.

Very KGB like.

Very much a political issue.

 

[bobbutts]

The astounding thing to me was the unanimous support for this law in Russia's parliament. Totally different culture over there if that many politicians can agree on anything at all, let alone a homophobic hate bill.

 

[AdironRider]

The astounding thing to me was the unanimous support for this law in Russia's parliament. Totally different culture over there if that many politicians can agree on anything at all, let alone a homophobic hate bill.

First and foremost, I do not support Russia's legislation on the matter whatsoever. Some close friends as well as family are gay, and I have no issues with it. That being said, this is not-our country and not our cultural or legal system, so as much as it pains me to say this, its not something we should be messing around in frankly. It just wont end well. The notion of if got it, don't flaunt it seems like a decent rule for this situation. It doesn't need to be broadcast in certain situations, and I think this one applies. Its a non-issue other than for pride reasons, which I think can go to the backburner for a couple weeks and lets focus on the athletes and competition, not whether they want to get married or what have you.

 

[Hawkshot99]

When you are a guest somewhere you abide by there laws, traditions, and respect their ways.
Different cultures do things differently. You wouldnt go to a Communist country and start have huge Democracy rallys without getting in trouble.

The Olympics are about sports. Gay, straight, whatever has nothing to do with them and this should have nothing to do with the games.

Sent from my SGH-S959G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Smellytele]

The Snowden issue may led to a boycott as well

 

[drjeff]

When you are a guest somewhere you abide by there laws, traditions, and respect their ways.
Different cultures do things differently. You wouldnt go to a Communist country and start have huge Democracy rallys without getting in trouble.

The Olympics are about sports. Gay, straight, whatever has nothing to do with them and this should have nothing to do with the games.

Sent from my SGH-S959G using Tapatalk 2

Well put!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[marcski]

When you are a guest somewhere you abide by there laws, traditions, and respect their ways.
Different cultures do things differently. You wouldnt go to a Communist country and start have huge Democracy rallys without getting in trouble.

My buddy's dad was a pre-eminent engineer in his niche. Back in the early 70's, the International group of engineers that make the scientific standards in that industry had its' annual meeting in Russia. For their group picture, he busts out a big, bright stars and stripes, red, white and blue sweater! I've seen the pic....classic cold war era stuff you just have to love.

But, I totally agree with your post.

 

[deadheadskier]

When you are a guest somewhere you abide by there laws, traditions, and respect their ways.
Different cultures do things differently. You wouldnt go to a Communist country and start have huge Democracy rallys without getting in trouble.

The Olympics are about sports. Gay, straight, whatever has nothing to do with them and this should have nothing to do with the games.

Sent from my SGH-S959G using Tapatalk 2

While the Olympics are about sport, what happens when athletes win a competition? They celebrate with their teammates and loved ones. It's not uncommon at all to see athletes embrace their spouses following a win, no matter what the competition. So, a straight person can hug their spouse after a win in the upcoming Olympics, but a gay person has to fear persecution?

If I were a gay athlete, I would not go to the games. Hell, if I were a gay spectator and had to fear thugs beating me up for showing any affection towards my spouse, then I wouldn't attend the games.

I agree with the when in Rome, do as the Romans do sentiment, but I also fully support an individual athletes decision to boycott the games over such legislation. Truthfully, I'd even be supportive of a Nation's decision to boycott the Games.

If that sounds unreasonable, answer me this....

If Qatar were to have hosted the games prior to last year (when they finally permitted female Olympic athletes of their own) do you think the US team and countless other nations would have competed?

 

[spring_mountain_high]

half-kidding here, but men's figure skating may not even happen

also, i've read and heard that the olympic village is basically a giant orgy, so if they do in fact choose to strictly enforce the law, it's going to get ugly

 

[Warp Daddy]

Hawk : Well put ! DHS i would certainly hope that any honest form of celebration would be tolerate , hell we have all had taps on the butt or quick bro hugs upon some spectacular achievement . Mebbe i am an eternal optimist but i would say if the "politics of the issue " are less demonstrative and in your face thatcommon sense will prevail . AFTER all it will be on all forms of Media for everyone to see and thus react .

 

[HowieT2]

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/08/russia-back-anti-gay-laws-during-sochi-olympics/67904/

the when in rome sentiment is all well and good, but I draw the line when people are being persecuted and physically abused. the nazis didnt start gassing people from day one. it started with things like this. and the olympics were in munich in 1936. just sayin'

 

[Mapnut]

It's interesting to speculate. Is there still a strict ban on any kind of political statements by athletes at the Olympics? Given the media coverage, it may be very tempting for gay spectators to stage some demonstrations. Would the Russian authorities be willing to accept the bad publicity to enforce the law? I saw a report on Russian gay activists publicly defying the law, and getting beaten up by gangs of thugs. In those cases you could say the government let the public enforce the law, but what would they choose to enforce at the Olympics?

 

[spring_mountain_high]

i don't think vlad-ass putin cares about bad publicity

 

[Mapnut]

Who owns and operates the ski resort? They may care. Hell, even Kim Jong-Un might care.

 

[x10003q]

The Olympics are about sports.
Sent from my SGH-S959G using Tapatalk 2

Right, that's why they raise your country's flag and play the national anthem when you win gold. If the Olympics were only about sports there would be no flags and all that goes along with the flags. The Olympics are about money, showing how great your political system works, and then sports. In 1980 the USA boycotted the summer Olympics in Moscow and they returned the favor in 1984 LA summer Olympics. ............................................Anti-Gay lawmaking is right out of the Nazi playbook...a book co-authored by many Russian leaders throughout history. Old habits die hard.:evil:

 

[deadheadskier]

I've given a bit more thought about the when in Rome do as the Romans do sentiment, and the more I think about it, isn't that the complete opposite of what the games are supposed to be about?

The Olympics have never been entirely about the Host Nation and their culture. For the most part, the host nation gets the stage two times to show off their virtues, during the opening and closing ceremonies. In between, the Olympic spirit has been about celebrating and accepting all nations and their cultures in the spirit of sport. The spirit of the games is for the entire world to pause and take a break from cultural, political and military differences among nations and just have fun and play some games. A recess and respite every four years from what can be an ugly world to celebrate humanity. Only during World War 1 and 2 have the games not occurred due to nations not being able to put their differences aside. There have been nation boycotts (famously the USA for the 1980 Russian Olympics and Russia during the 1984 LA Olympics), but the Olympics pretty much have always gone on no matter what since 1896.

I'll try and be an optimist like Warp and hope that the games will follow traditional spirit and there will be great tolerance and minimal issues concerning gay participation at Sochi, whether it be the athletes or spectators.

That said, the warning by Putin and Russia to "behave and don't promote that you are gay" tone is anti-Olympic spirit in my opinion. Very disappointing to see a host nation grand stand like that no matter what the issue is. If this legislation and international warning from Russia came out prior to the site selection for the 2014 Winter Olympics; would Russia have won selection to host the games?

I think and hope not.