[stratosvoukel]

The Olympic Games, like it or not, have some very specific rules about discrimination. Unfortunately even the Olympic Committee is not keeping up with the rules and it is turning a blind eye when it comes to the human rights violations happening in Russia. How can the games happen, if the LGBTQ athletes cant openly compete? If the games are not following the ideals of the olympic games then they are not really olympic games but a parody. And humanity has better things to do than spending time on such monstrosities. How the hell can a country send LGBTQ athletes over there if there is a risk of them getting imprisoned? The way you present it is as like the games are like a passive aggressive family reunion.

[pilgrim689]

Are you talking about this? "The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play" [1]

From what I've heard so far, LGBTQ athletes will not be discriminated against at the Games. The anti-"gay propaganda" laws have no affect on the sports. Needless to say the law is abhorrent, it doesn't seem like it will prevent athletes who have been training all their lives from competing.

[1] http://www.olympic.org/Documents/olympic_charter_en.pdf

[stratosvoukel]

Russian lawmakers have been clear that despite the sugarcoating, the Russian laws will apply to anyone, even the olympics athletes.

[pilgrim689]

The law applies, no doubt, but it has no affect on the sports in which the athletes compete.

[bilbo0s]

Wrong.

Olympic Athletes have diplomatic immunity.

The only REAL concern athletes have... is from the IOC.

But yeah... that's a pretty big concern... because the IOC is worse than the Russian Government.

[tptacek]

Let me be clear that I believe discrimination based on gender identity is reprehensible.