HRC Slams Sochi Protest Zones

"Given the Russian government’s history of strong-arm authoritarian tactics, the existence of a protest zone is ironically rich. Olympic athletes should be free to speak their minds about the heinous nature of these laws. You don’t stop being human when you become an Olympian. It tells you a lot about President Bach and the IOC’s commitment to human rights that they believe this issue should be easily compartmentalized into a protest zone. The fact that these laws exist is an outrage. The fact that the IOC believes they should be the subject of a protest zone is an even bigger outrage." - Human Rights Campaign vice president Fred Sainz, speaking to Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed.

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Posted in: HRC,IOC,Russia,Sochi Olympics

Russia To Create Protest Zones At Sochi

The International Olympic Committee today revealed that the Russia government will set up protest zones near the venues for the Sochi Olympics.

The announcement came during a news teleconference held by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. "This was under discussion with the IOC for quite some time," Bach said. "This is a measure we welcome so that everybody can express his or her opinion." Bach did not offer any details about the size or location of the zones. He said Russian officials have assured him protesters will not face negative consequences. "I think this is the purpose of these protest zones," Bach said. "This is what we’ve been discussing with Russian authorities."

A spokesman for All Out responded to today's news by renewing a demand that Bach denounce Russia's anti-gay laws.

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Posted in: IOC,LGBT rights,Russia,Sochi Olympics

IOC Reminds Athletes: Don't Protest

The International Olympic Committee is crafting a letter that contains its final warning against athletes participating in any protests at the Sochi Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee executive board is expected to approve the instructions at its meeting in Lausanne on Tuesday. The letter will then be sent to the national Olympic committees that are sending athletes to the Sochi Games, which run from Feb. 7-23. The memo will focus on Rule 50 in the Olympic Charter, which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas." "We will give the background of the Rule 50, explaining the interpretation of the Rule 50 to make the athletes aware and to assure them that the athletes will be protected," IOC President Thomas Bach said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I know from my own experience, this is key," added Bach, a former Olympic fencer who won a team gold medal for West Germany in 1976. "As an athlete you do not want to be confronted in the Olympic Village or the Olympic Stadium with any kind of political controversies."

Athletes who so much as wear a rainbow pin could face expulsion from the Games or the loss of their medals. The IOC says that rule will be "interpreted and applied sensibly and proportionately."

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Posted in: IOC,LGBT rights,Russia,Sochi Olympics