International Olympics Committee may punish athletes who Support LGBT Rights In Russia.
by Newsdesk | 13th August 2013
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that they may punish athletes who show any political gesture.
• The IOC maintains “Olympic Games are not a place for proactive political or religious demonstration.’
• Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states: no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas’
The IOC has pointed towards a stance that could see athletes who show solidarity with the Russian LGBT community, whilst on Olympic grounds punished.
On Saturday actor and author Stephen Fry in an interview with the BBC called for athletes to adopt a ‘solidarity pose’ to show recognition for the violations against lesbian, gay bisexual and trans people.
Speaking to GayStarNews, Olympic officials said, ‘Regarding your suggestions, the IOC has a clear rule laid out in the Olympic Charter (Rule 50) which states that the venues of the Olympic Games are not a place for proactive political or religious demonstration.’
The IOC told GSN, ‘This rule has been in place for many years and applied when necessary,
‘In any case, the IOC would treat each case individually and take a sensible approach depending on what was said or done.’
Openly gay figure skater, Blake Skjellerup, who recently graced the cover of GayTimes, has pledged that he will make a stand by wearing a rainbow pin.
TheGayUK asked the IOC whether they would take action over someone wearing a rainbow flag or even a religious item – a spokesperson was not immediately available.
According to the Olympic Charter punishment may include:
• Temporary or permanent ineligibility
• Exclusion from the Olympic Games,
• Disqualification or withdrawal of accreditation
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