Protests by athletes over Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law during news conferences at the Sochi Winter Olympics are unacceptable as they go against the Olympic Charter, Games chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said yesterday.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach had urged athletes attending the Feb. 7-23 Games in the Black sea resort to refrain from protests on the podium according to an Olympic rule that forbids political statements in Olympic venues.
Bach did, however, indicate that if athletes choose to make their opposition to this law or Russia’s human rights record known they could do so at pre- or post-competition news conferences.
“He might have mentioned that there is a rule 50 in the Olympic Charter which limits the expression of any propaganda during the Games,” Chernyshenko told a conference call when asked how organisers would deal with possible protests.
“I don’t think they (the athletes) are allowed by the IOC Charter to express those views that are not related to the sport at the press conference room.”
Russia has been under mounting criticism from different quarters over its controversial anti-gay propaganda law that critics say curtails homosexuals’ rights.
Several athletes have said they will vent their opposition during the Games while lesbian and gay rights groups have urged participants to be vocal on site against the law.
“Everyone in attendance is welcome to enjoy themselves, we welcome everybody regardless of race, gender, religious or sexual orientation,” said Chernyshenko.
Chernyshenko, who headed Sochi’s successful bid seven years ago, said should athletes want to speak out about issues they could do so in a special location in the city, away from the Olympic Games venues.
“What I would call the Sochi speakers’ corner has been organised in Sochi city so that everybody can express themselves,” Cherny-shenko said.
Several heads of state, including Germany’s President Joachim Gauck and President Francois Hollande, of France, have refused to attend the Games in what is seen as a snub to Russia.
“Frankly we are talking about world leaders here, some of the busiest people on the planet. I imagine many of them would love to attend. To suggest it is something personal is not accurate and acceptable,” Cherny-shenko said.
“The number of state leaders... to come is the highest ever in the history of the Olympic Winter Games,” he said without giving a figure when asked.