Rule 50 of the IOC’s charter states “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
Then what will they do when the Russians are arresting the Worlds athletes, tourists and mediapeople covering the 2014 events?
Bare in mind that any athlete has a sound mind - their bodies and their minds are fine sharped instruments....they are used to FIGHT..... and FIGHT they will....
Who are the IOC to say that a gay, lesbian or transgender may NOT embrace or kiss their loved ones after a success???
What idiots do they think the world is?
"Not mixing politics with sports????"
What planet do they come from?
Wasn`t it political when Samaranch visited Sarajevo during the Lillehammer events of 1994?
I am happy to say that the world HAS moved on.....
I don`t think we will have another NaziOlympic as in 1936 and the raw force of human and gay rights activists will indeed succeed:-))
The world will NOT go down to its knees and make a massive Journey to the Closet during these days in February 2014
I am ALL for a boycott!!! We all know how Norwegian skater and actress Sonja Henie suffered after failing to understand that by doing a Nazi salute(only once, but still...) and appearing in a photo with Hitler - was and is indeed a career suicide!!!
The Group of LGBT has suffered for centuries and we are DAMNED if a county or an organization force us and our brothers and sisters back to the closet - even when it comes to free of Speech...
THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY!!!!!!
In detail the role of the IOC, according to the Olympic Charter, is:
- To encourage and support the promotion of ethics in sport as well as education of youth through sport and to dedicate its efforts to ensuring that, in sport, the spirit of fair play prevails and violence is banned;
- To encourage and support the organisation, development and coordination of sport and sports competitions;
- To ensure the regular celebration of the Olympic Games;
- To cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavour to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace;
- To take action in order to strengthen the unity and to protect the independence of the Olympic Movement;
- To act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement;
- To encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women;
- To lead the fight against doping in sport;
- To encourage and support measures protecting the health of athletes;
- To oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes;
- To encourage and support the efforts of sports organisations and public authorities to provide for the social and professional future of athletes;
- To encourage and support the development of sport for all;
- To encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues, to promote sustainable development in sport and to require that the Olympic Games are held accordingly;
- To promote a positive legacy from the Olympic Games to the host cities and host countries;
- To encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education;
- To encourage and support the activities of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) and other institutions which dedicate themselves to Olympic education.
Am I the only one who find the IOC statement "International Olympic Committee Forbids Athletes to Speak Against Russian Antigay Laws" conflicting their own charter????
By boycotting the 2014 Sochi Olympics we don`t do something new..... It has and will happen again:
1980 Summer Olympics boycott: U.S. President Jimmy Carter issued a boycott of the games to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, as the Games were held in Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union. Many nations refused to participate in the Games. The exact number of boycotting nations is difficult to determine, as a total of 62 eligible countries failed to participate, but some of those countries withdrew due to financial hardships, only claiming to join the boycott to avoid embarrassment. Only 80 countries participated in the Moscow games, fewer than the 92 that had joined the 1976 games which had also been the target of boycotts and the lowest number since the 1960 Rome Games which had also hosted 80 countries.
A substitute event, titled the Liberty Bell Classic (often referred to as Olympic Boycott Games) was held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia by 29 of the boycotting countries.1984 Summer Olympics boycott: The Soviet Union and fourteen of its allies boycotted the 1984 Games held in Los Angeles, United States, citing lack of security for their athletes as the official reason; The decision was regarded as a response to the United States-led boycott issued against the Moscow Olympics four years earlier. The Eastern Bloc organized its own multi-sport event, the Friendship Games, instead. For different reasons, Iran and Libya also boycotted the Games.
IOC controversy:
The process for awarding host city honours came under intense scrutiny after Salt Lake City had been awarded the right to host the 2002 Games. Soon after the host city had been announced it was discovered that the organisers had engaged in an elaborate bribery scheme to curry favour with IOC officials.
Gifts and other financial considerations were given to those who would evaluate and vote on Salt Lake City's bid. These gifts included medical treatment for relatives, a college scholarship for one member's son and a land deal in Utah.
Even IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch received two rifles valued at $2,000. Samaranch defended the gift as inconsequential since, as president, he was a non-voting member.The subsequent investigation uncovered inconsistencies in the bids for every Games (both summer and winter) since 1988. For example the gifts received by IOC members from the Japanese Organising Committee for Nagano's bid for the 1998 Winter Olympics were described by the investigation committee as "astronomical".
Although nothing strictly illegal had been done, the IOC feared that corporate sponsors would lose faith in the integrity of the process and that the Olympic brand would be tarnished to such an extent that advertisers would begin to pull their support.
The investigation resulted in the expulsion of 10 IOC members and the sanctioning of another 10. New terms and age limits were established for IOC membership, and 15 former Olympic athletes were added to the committee. Stricter rules for future bids were imposed, with ceilings imposed on the value of gifts IOC members could accept from bid cities
In short.... don`t let this organisation tell us what or not to do....
The world will no longer listen to this - and I say it right out - this shit!!!
Pictured: Swedes that indeed condemn Russia`s Anti-Gay Laws: Victor Hedman & Henrik Zetterberg
Kseniya Ryzhova & Tatyana Firova make a statement on Saturday, August 17 2013. Bravo Bravaaaaaa Girls:-)))
Wentworth Miller declines an invitation to a Russian Film Festival
With Scott Thorsen
Rob Lowe as a plastic surgeon - great performance
Matt Damon & Douglas as Scott and Liberace
