Posted on 08/11/2013 7:59:31 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The entertainment industry is giving full voice to their criticism of the Russian anti-gay statute. They've singled out Russia because the 2014 Winter Olympics are going to be held in the city of Sochi and gay fans of the games don't want to be arrested simply for exhibiting what in Russia is politically incorrect behavior.
The International Olympic Committee wants assurances from the Russian government but Moscow is standing firm, saying that the law must be respected.
Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko insisted Thursday that Olympic athletes would have to respect the laws of the country during the Sochi Games. On Friday, he said there was no way Russia would back down under political pressure.
Referring to Western criticism, Mutko was quoted as saying by Interfax: "I wouldn't call the pressure light.
Russia must understand that the stronger we are, the more other people aren't going to like it. We have a unique country."
"We don't have to be afraid of threats to boycott the Olympic Games," Mutko said. "All sensible people understand that sports demand independence, that it is inadmissible that politics intervene."
On Thursday, Mutko did make it clear that the private lives and privacy of athletes would be respected as it is guaranteed by the Russian constitution Rogge said that was essential.
"The Olympic charter is clear," Rogge said. "A sport is a human right and it should be available to all, regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation."
Even if Russia accepts that principle, the law leaves open the issue of athletes speaking freely during the games.
"As far as the freedom of expression is concerned, of course, this is something that is important," Rogge said. "But we cannot make a comment on the law" until the clarifications have been received.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
And who in Russia gives a flying crap?
Or a flying carp?
That is what my Swedish wife of 57 years tells me.
As opposed to American conservatives being targeted for exhibiting politically incorrect behavior...
That’s her!
It truly does!
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