OVERVIEW: THE sOCHI WINTER GAMES
Russia has begun the 2014 Winter Olympics - in fact the most expensive Winter Olympics ever - with a glamorous opening ceremony, a guarantee that the games will awe viewers from around the world. However, Russia is also blocking attempts to call attention to the anti-gay law during the events. They have banned protesting on the main Sochi grounds, for fear of an angry crowd. And although a protest zone has been designated, it is located twelve kilometres from Sochi in Khosta, rendering it effectively useless. The government has also decided not to create a Pride House, which is typically situated at the Olympics to promote equality and gay rights. They claim that the Pride House would be an act of gay propaganda, having an adverse effect on the morals of minors. What Russia ultimately desires is a politically uneventful Olympics that promotes it’s national pride and image worldwide.
Activists, on the other hand, are encouraging as many public figures as possible to speak against the bill while the media spotlight is on them. Some athletes, like retired olympic diver Greg Louganis, are making public political statements, while others are engaging in subtler gestures to show their support. Two Swedish Athletes painted their nails in rainbow colours in support of gay rights during the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow in August. AT&T, Chobani, a yogurt maker, and DeVry University were three US Olympics sponsors that spoke out against the anti-gay law. By doing this, companies and athletes are working within their limitations to draw attention to the human rights situation in Russia.
There is, however, resistance to political protest within the community. Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff previously claimed she would speak out strongly against the anti-gay law, but after she finished her event she expressed that the Olympics was not the right place for her to do so. Openly gay, Austrian athlete, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz says “I know Russia will go and make the right steps in the future and we should give them time.”
And so the debate grows, as athletes and corporations must choose whether or not they wish to take a stance. But one thing is for sure - your choice as a reporter is of even more importance.
Activists, on the other hand, are encouraging as many public figures as possible to speak against the bill while the media spotlight is on them. Some athletes, like retired olympic diver Greg Louganis, are making public political statements, while others are engaging in subtler gestures to show their support. Two Swedish Athletes painted their nails in rainbow colours in support of gay rights during the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow in August. AT&T, Chobani, a yogurt maker, and DeVry University were three US Olympics sponsors that spoke out against the anti-gay law. By doing this, companies and athletes are working within their limitations to draw attention to the human rights situation in Russia.
There is, however, resistance to political protest within the community. Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff previously claimed she would speak out strongly against the anti-gay law, but after she finished her event she expressed that the Olympics was not the right place for her to do so. Openly gay, Austrian athlete, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz says “I know Russia will go and make the right steps in the future and we should give them time.”
And so the debate grows, as athletes and corporations must choose whether or not they wish to take a stance. But one thing is for sure - your choice as a reporter is of even more importance.
primary SOURCES
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF OLYMPISM
- Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
- The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.
- The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world’s athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.
- 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.
- Recognising that sport occurs within the framework of society, sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall have the rights and obligations of autonomy, which include freely establishing and controlling the rules of sport, determining the structure and governance of their organisations, enjoying the right of elections free from any outside influence and the responsibility for ensuring that principles of good governance be applied.
- Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
- Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
“Amnesty is deeply concerned that the human rights situation in Russia will only worsen when the international spotlight is no longer focused on the Sochi Olympics. The prosecution of people such as Russian journalist Elena Klimova charged under Russia's homophobic anti-LGBTI law, and Yevgeny Vitishko, an environmental activist arrested as he prepared to travel to Sochi, are a clear sign of things to come.”
-Steve Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA, February/18/2014
“We will not stand down as long as Russian authorities and governments everywhere continue to abuse human rights. Amnesty will continue to campaign for human rights in Russia after the Olympic spotlight fades.”
-Steve Hawkins
Nine new arrests near Sochi Olympics include Pussy Riot activists
-Amnesty International, February 18/2014
Two members of the Pussy Riot complain of having been arrested in Sochi for the third time in as many days. Today the authorities claimed this was related to a theft at a hotel where they stayed. “This is outrageous. There are reports of arrests of activists in Sochi and the Olympic Games area almost daily. The International Olympic Committee must roundly condemn these and all arrests of activists near Sochi.” said John Dalhuisen, Director of Europe and Central Asia Programme at Amnesty International. Among those arrested by police and plainclothes officials on 16 February were Semyon Simonov of the human rights centre Memorial, journalists from Radio Free Europe and the Russian independent daily Novaya Gazeta, and local civil rights activist David Hakim.
Russian Journalist Charged Under “Gay Propaganda” Law
-Human Rights Now (Amnesty International Blog), February/12/2014
Lena Klimova, founder of Children-404, a popular online safe space for LGBTQ teens, was charged with the "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations." Children-404 supports LGBTQ teens in Russia, and provides a space for them to share their stories and receive support from experienced psychologists, who help them deal with the violence, discrimination and psychological attacks. The site has prevent teenagers from committing suicide, and running away from home.
Russian protesters fall silent while Olympic roadshow occupies Sochi
-The Guardian, February/16/2014
In a small park in Khosta, around 10 miles from the Olympic Village, a space has been set aside for anyone who wants to protest during these Games but [...]The silence is deafening [...] as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its national associations have made it clear to competitors that they should not use the Games as a place to make "political points." Openly gay Dutch Speed Skater Ireen Wust won an early medal, and was amiably received by Putin; Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff previously claimed she would speak out strongly against the anti-gay law, but after she finished her event she thought that the Olympics was not the right place to do it; and openly gay, Austrian athlete, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz says “I know Russia will go and make the right steps in the future and we should give them time."
Pride House International Launches Olympic 'Hand-Holding' Campaign
-Huffington Post, August/15/2013
Pride House International, a coalition of LGBTQ rights and sports groups, launched a campaign that calls for attendees and participants at the 2014 Olympic games to hold hands with someone of the same sex. In a statement via The New Civil Rights Movement, a Pride House member said: "Long after the 2014 Olympics, we in Russia will continue to live under this horrible law. For a few weeks we have the opportunity to bring the attention of the world to the situation in Russia. The Same-Sex Hand-Holding Initiative enables everyone to get involved with a simple yet iconic gesture. We know from gestures like Usain Bolt’s lightning stance the impact of such images that are simple, replicable, and identifiable."Gay New Zealand speedskater Blake Skjellerup said, "I don't want to have to tone myself down about who I am. That wasn't very fun and there's no way I'm going back in the closet. I just want to be myself and I hate to think that being myself would get me in trouble."
Google displays a Rainbow logo on their home page, with a quote: “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play” - Olympic Charter
-February/7/2014
Putin Bans Protests In Sochi During 2014 Winter Olympics
-Huffington Post, August/23/2014
All "gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets" that are not part of the Olympics or the Paralympics will be prohibited in Sochi from Jan. 7 to March 21
"The Olympics are not a political statement, they are a place to let the world shine in peace and let them marvel at their youthful talents," he wrote. "I respect the LGBT community full heartedly, but I implore the world not to boycott the Olympic Games because of Russia’s stance on LGBT rights or lack thereof."
-Johnny Weir, openly gay American figure skater
“As athletes, the most valuable thing we can do is send a strong, unified message to Russia and its president that we will not stand for this cruel and repressive treatment. We will not stop until gay people in Russia are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve."
-Greg Louganis, retired openly gay athlete
German Olympic Sports Confederation representative Christian Klaue: “the uniforms are not a protest”, it’s only meant as a fashionable jacket.
-Huffington Post, October/2/2013
Rainbow Google doodle supports gay rights in Russia
-Metro, February/6/2014
Google changed its front page logo to a rainbow-coloured graphic with pictograms of sports linking to a search for "Olympic Charter", and placed a quote from the charter on the page as well. It was characterized in media that the logo was a symbolic protest, although Google specifically refused to acknowledge it.
Just ahead of the opening ceremony, four LGBT activists including Anastasia Smirnova, Aleksandra Semenova and a pregnant woman, were arrested in St. Petersburg for holding up a banner reading "Discrimination is incompatible with the Olympic movement. Principle 6. Olympic charter."
-Huffington Post, February/7/2014