IOC Adds Anti-Discrimination Clause to Olympic Host City Contract

Following the international backlash against the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) handling of the human rights crisis in Russia specifically as it pertained to the nation's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympiad in Sochi, the IOC announced today it would add a new non-discrimination clause to its host city contract that would uphold Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter which states, "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."

From LGBT activist group All Out:

“This is a significant step in ensuring the protection of both citizens and athletes around the world and sends a clear message to future host cities that human rights violations, including those against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, will not be tolerated,” said Andre Banks, co-founder and executive director of All Out...

According to IOC Sports Director, Christopher Dubi, the new clause will include “the prohibition of any form of discrimination, using the wording of Fundamental Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter." This clause will ensure that future host cities must abide by international human rights standards in order to host the games, including the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens and athletes...

In a letter from [omitted] Dubi, the IOC stated that the changes to the host city contract “are the result of the experience gained by the IOC in previous editions of the Olympic Games." He explained that the changes are aimed at “addressing certain potential concerns for candidate cities and future host cities, in the spirit of good faith and cooperation, and taking into consideration certain comments made by the candidate cities.“

Human Rights Pledge Urged for Future Olympic Hosts

Citing widespread dismay with Russia’s anti-gay laws, a coalition of more than 30 human rights and gay rights groups is calling on the International Olympic Committee to ensure that future Olympic host countries do not have discriminatory laws on their books.

The coalition - including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Campaign - made the demands in a joint letter to IOC President Thomas Bach as the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, neared their close. 

"The contracts should include clear sanctions for failing to respect these commitments, up to and including a relocation of the games," the letter said.

The letter also urged the IOC to amend Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter to specify that the Olympic movement’s condemnation of discrimination extends to discrimination based on sexual orientation and sexual identity. Full story here!

NBC Edits Out IOC Anti-Discrimination Statement From Opening Ceremony

Russia's anti-gay laws have been a major focus in the lead-up to the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, and during his address at today's opening ceremony IOC president Thomas Bach made a strong statement against "any form of discrimination" and in favor of tolerance. Viewers worldwide heard the statement; NBC viewers in the U.S. did not, because the network edited it out.

Here's a transcript of Bach's speech from British TV. NBC edited out the bolded portion.

Good evening, dear Athletes. Mr president of the Russian Federation, Mr Secretary General of the United Nations, Good evening Olympic friends and fans around the world! Welcome to the 22nd Olympic Winter Games! Tonight, we are writing a new page in Olympic history. What has been achieved in seven years is a remarkable achievement. I would like it thank, in again, the president of the Russian Federation and his Government. The Sochi organising committee. The Russian Olympic committee. And the IOC members in Russia. Thank you to all the workers for your great contribution under sometimes difficult circumstances. Thank you to all the people of Sochi and the Krasnodar region. Thank you for your patience, thank you for your understanding during these years of transformation.
Now you are living in an Olympic Region. I am sure you will enjoy the benefits for many, many years to come. Thousands of volunteers have welcomed us with the well-known warm Russian hospitality. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers. Bolshoi spasiba, valantyoram! Thank you very much to everyone. Russia and the Russians have set the stage for you, the best winter athletes on our planet. From this moment on you are not only the best athletes, you are Olympic Athletes. You will inspire us with your outstanding sports performances. You have come here for sports. You have come here with your Olympic dream. The International Olympic Committee wants your Olympic Dream to come true. This is why we are investing almost all of our revenues in the development of sports. The universal Olympic rules apply to each and every athlete- no matter where you come from or what your background is. You are living together in the Olympic Village. You will celebrate victory with dignity and accept defeat with dignity. You are bringing the Olympic Values to life. In this way, the Olympic Games, wherever they take place, set an example for a peaceful society. Olympic Sport unites people. This is the Olympic Message the athletes spread to the host country and to the whole world. Yes, it is possible to strive even for the greatest victory with respect for the dignity of your competitors. Yes, Yes, it is possible - even as competitors - to live together under one roof in harmony, with tolerance and without any form of discrimination for whatever reason. Yes, it is possible - even as competitors - to listen, to understand and to give an example for a peaceful society.
Olympic Games are always about building bridges to bring people together. Olympic Games are never about erecting walls to keep people apart. Olympic Games are a sports festival embracing human diversity in great unity. Therefore, I say to the political leaders of the world - thank you for supporting your athletes. They are the best ambassadors of your country. Please respect their Olympic Message of goodwill, of tolerance, of excellence and of peace. Have the courage to address your disagreements in a peaceful, direct political dialogue and not on the backs of the athletes. APPLAUSE To all sports officials and sports fans I say - join and support our fight for fair play, the athletes deserve it. To you - my fellow Olympic Athletes - I say, respect the rules, play fair, be clean, respect your fellow athletes in and out of competition. We all wish you joy in your Olympic effort and a wonderful Olympic experience. APPLAUSE To all of you - Athletes, Officials, Fans and Spectators around our globe - I say, enjoy the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games! And now I have the honour of inviting the president of the Russian Federation, Mister Vladimir Putin, to declare open the 22nd Olympic Winter Games.

Queer Nation & GetEqual Disrupt IOC Olympic Event In Boston – Picabo Street Shows Insensitivity

Queer Nation and GetEqual Massachusetts disrupted the opening event of the US Olympic Committee’s Road to Sochi tour stop in Boston, demanding answers about the safety of LGBT Olympians, American spectators and also LGBT Russians.

Activist Sasha Kaufmann, of GetEqual Massachusetts, engaged former World Cup alpine skier Picabo Street, and got in a verbal altercation during the panel discussion that showed very little sensitivity or understanding by the former Olympian to the plight of LGBT Russians or the safety of gay and lesbian Americans attending the events in Russia.

Said Street when asked about safety concerns for LGBT Americans in Russia:

“We are Americans, we don’t live in Russia…I would take you under my arm, we will experience the Olympic games together  and have a wonderful time.”

When inquiring about what will happen to Kaufmann’s Russian gay brothers and sisters after the games are complete, Street interrupted the panel’s uncomfortable silence with:

Russia to Create 'Protest Zones' for Sochi Olympic Games

In addition to the announcement that the IOC will send a letter to athletes and participants at the Sochi Games reminding them to refrain from engaging in demonstrations, political gestures, or protests while in Russia, the IOC said Russia will be creating "protest zones" for people to do just that, the L.A. Times reports: 

 

The announcement came during a news teleconference held by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

"This was under discussion with the IOC for quite some time," Bach said. "This is a measure we welcome so that everybody can express his or her opinion."

The Games in Sochi have become particularly controversial because of Russia's recently enacted anti-gay legislation threatening prosecution of anyone who, in the presence of minors, promotes "nontraditional sexual relations."

Critics worldwide have condemned the law as a violation of the right to free expression, saying the measure effectively bans events such as gay rights parades. Bach did not offer any details about the size or location of the zones.

He said Russian officials have assured him protesters will not face negative consequences. "I think this is the purpose of these protest zones," Bach said. "This is what we’ve been discussing with Russian authorities."

American Apparel's New 'Principle 6' Protest Merchandise Targets Sochi Games, Russia's Anti-gay Laws

LGBT organizations All Out and Athlete Ally have partnered with American Apparel in the creation of Principle 6, a new line of merchandise that aims to use the Olympic committee's very own charter language as a way for consumers to stand in solidarity with gay Russians, athletes, and visitors during the upcoming Sochi Games. The New York Times reports:

The proponents of the Principle 6 campaign say it can be effective because it will avoid the Olympic commtitee's strictures against political statements or demonstrations by using the committee's own language as a rallying cry for nondiscrimination. The line of Principle 6 branded merchandise will bear a rewritten version of the principle's declaration: "Sport does not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise." (The paraphrase also serves to avoid another sticky issue: The Olympic committee is zealous in its policing of the use of the words "Olympic" or "Olympics" by anyone other than its members and official sponsors.)

...

Andre Banks, executive director of All Out, said the merchandise "allows us to deliver the Principle 6 message on a scale that would make the campaign incredibly powerful."

American Apparel is to sell the merchandise online, beginning early Monday morning, and in stores around the world, beginning on Jan. 1. The line will include T-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags and underwear. The proceeds from the sales of the merchandise, minus the costs, "will go to benefit Russian LGBT groups in St. Petersburg and Moscow," Mr. Banks said.

At least four dozen athletes have already committed to working with the campaign including out speed skater Blake Skjellerup, U.S. runner and ally Nick Symmonds, out former Olympic diver Greg Louganis, and tennis player Andy Roddick (above).

U.S. rep aims to send message on Russia antigay law

The sixth item in the charter's "Fundamental Principles of Olympism" says "any form of discrimination ... on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement." It does not specifically mention sexual orientation. "If it came to a vote of IOC members, I would absolutely vote yes to amend the charter," Probst said Tuesday during a news conference at the USOC media summit. 

America's newest member of the International Olympic Committee would vote to amend the Olympic charter to list sexual orientation as a form of discrimination. U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Larry Probst, voted onto the IOC last month, said such an amendment is one of the few avenues available to the USOC as it tries to send a message to Russia, which recently passed an antigay law, less than a year before it hosts the Winter Olympics.

Probst reiterated that an American boycott of the Sochi Olympics is not an option, but when asked what moves the USOC could make, both Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun mentioned the possible amendment, which would have to be done at an IOC meeting. "There are people who would like to see sexual orientation added to that list," Blackmun said. "We'd support a change in that direction."

Besides mentioning the amendment, the USOC leaders stuck mainly to their party line: They are not there to change Russian law, and their top priority is ensuring a safe and successful Olympics for their athletes. They are also not telling their athletes to not speak their minds. Among the few athletes at this week's Olympic summit to speak against the Russian law was skier Bode Miller, who called the existence of such a law "absolutely embarrassing." Most others have said, in one way or another, that they'd let the USOC handle the politics while they focus on sports.

IOC officials have said they don't have the authority to intervene in Russia's lawmaking and are convinced there will be no discrimination against athletes or spectators at the games.

At Flame Ceremony, IOC President Says He Has 'Assurances' from Russia on Gays

The Olympic flame for the Sochi 2014 Games was lit in Greece yesterday and IOC President Thomas Bach repeated the organization's assertion that it was okay for the Games to be held there because Russia would not bother anyone:

"We have to ensure the policy of non-discrimination at all venues and for all athletes and for all other participants...We have the assurances of the highest authorities in Russia, and yesterday I spoke with the Russian delegation here in Olympia again and they reassured us that the Olympic Charter will fully apply for all the participants of the games at all Olympic venues."

The IOC continues to not appear to have any concern about the values of the country or the human rights abuses being inflicted upon Russian LGBT citizens beyond its own event.

NBA Commissioner David Stern Denounces IOC's Silence on Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

NBA Commissioner David Stern said a lot on Wednesday even though he said he wasn't going to get into a discussion about the Sochi Games and Russia's anti-gay laws, swiftly and briefly denouncing the new President of the IOC and the organization for not stepping up against human rights abuses. Stern spoke at a panel at the Beyond Sport Summit:

“I’m gonna behave myself, for the record here, which is unlike me,” NBA commissioner David Stern said Wednesday, speaking as part of a panel that included Ed Rendell and was moderated by ESPN anchor and Philly native Kevin Negandhi. “But you know, the first phone call to the new head of the Olympics [was] from President [Vladimir] Putin, and everyone wants to talk about the Russian law on homosexuality. Think about the opportunities that sports have to make a continuing statement, and the only thing that we’re saying in that context is ‘Shhhh! No one say anything!’”

The phone call Stern spoke about took place on Tuesday, from Putin to the newly-anointed IOC President Thomas Bach, who appears to be toeing former IOC President Jacques Rogge's line when it comes to dealing with the issue, Philip Hersh reports:

“We did not discuss the law,” Bach said, laughing, after his brief conversation with Putin.

But how the IOC deals with all the issues related to “the law,” Russia’s recent anti-gay legislation, is a serious challenge Bach immediately faces after becoming the eighth white European man in the IOC presidency...

...Bach, a 59-year-old attorney and 1976 Olympic fencing champion, said this was not the time to discuss the details of how the IOC will handle such incidents, but he clearly sees the need to let athletes and their national Olympic committees know in advance what to expect.

“We will follow our values and the Olympic Charter to make sure the Olympic Games and the participants in the Olympic Games can compete and participate without discrimination,” Bach said. “We have the clear assurances of the highest authorities in Russia, and we trust those assurances.

“The policy of the IOC in more detail will be worked out and communicated with the national Olympic Committee and the athletes.”

The head of the Sochi Olympics has asked the International Olympic Committee for help in making you annoying gays, and friends of gays, stop being so mean to them.

Apparently, Olympics sponsors, like Coke and McDonald’s, are getting a little uncomfortable having their name attached to games that are being increasingly compared to Hitler 1936 Nazi Olympics.

You see, all that international concern for the safety and well-being of Olympic athletes, guests and media, including gay and trans athletes, has apparently been a real downer for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

And now there are concerns that not enough people may attend, and that the corporate sponsors might not want their names associated with, oh I don’t know, an athlete with “Coke!” on his blazer being carted away by the Russian secret police because he hugged by husband.

So, Sochi is now begging the IOC -that has mishandled this disaster from the beginning – for help.  From AP:

The head of the Sochi Olympics asked the IOC on Sunday to help “stop this campaign and this speculation” related to the anti-gay law that has been overshadowing preparations for next year’s Winter Games in Russia.

A senior IOC member, meanwhile, said sponsors are “afraid” of the fallout of possible demonstrations in Sochi.

“I think this could ruin a lot for all of us,” marketing commission chairman Gerhard Heiberg said. “We have to be prepared.”

IOC Presidential Candidate Believes Russia: 'Sochi Will Be a Wonderful Games'

Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) sent a letter to the IOC demanding that candidates for president of the organization (Jacques Rogge is due to be replaced next month) make their views known on Russia's anti-gay laws and steps they would take regarding the Sochi Winter Games. 

 

One of those candidates, Mg Ser Miang, a Singaporean supermarket chief who is also a VP of the IOC, made clear today that he has no plans to do anything, because it's going to be a "wonderful" games.

 

AFP reports:

"Sochi has put in quite heavy investment because of the need for them to develop a lot of infrastructure," Ng told AFP in an interview at his office in Singapore.

"This anti-gay law, we now have a written assurance from the highest authority that there will be no discrimination of any kind, respect to the provisions of the Olympic Charter as well as the fundamental principle against discrimination of any kind. So the rights of those who are attending the Games, from spectators, to officials, to media, especially the athletes, will be respected. I believe that Sochi will be a wonderful Games."

He added: "In some of these issues I believe in quiet diplomacy to deal with these issues," he said. "It's a common goal that we want to have a successful Games and the IOC is very clear and very strong -- the IOC is against discrimination of any kind."

Russian Olympic Village “mayor”: Gay Olympians not “normal”

It’s their life, it’s their choice, but it’s not normal, says Russian pole vault champion and Olympic Village mayor Yelena Isinbayeva about fellow gay Olympians.

Isinbayeva also referred to gay and trans people as a “problem” (see video below):

“If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people… We just live with boys with woman, woman with boys…. Everything must be fine. It comes from history. We never had any problems, these problems in Russia, and we don’t want to have any in the future.”

You never had these problems in Russia.  Yeah, because you used to just throw everyone you didn’t like in a gulag.
Oh, and Isinbayeva also added that it’s “disrespectful” of Russia for gay athletes to object to being thrown in prison.  Yeah.  Gays are funny that way.
The International Olympic Committee declined to comment on the fact that Russia’s mayor for the Olympic Village thinks gay Olympic athletes aren’t “normal.”  Then again, remember, these are the folks who defended Hitler’s Olympics, and accused Americans who were pushing a boycott of the Nazi Olympics in 1936 of being “liars.”  It takes a lot to cross the line, if there is even a line, for these people.
Isinbayeva was upset that Swedes, and other athletes, at a recent competition in Moscow took a stand against rampant Russian homophobia, including a new law that may land gay Olympic athletes in jail.  The Swedes painted their nails rainbow colors.
One of those athletes who took a stand is American runner Nick Symmonds (who dedicated his medal just won in Moscow to the LGBT community). Symmonds was none too pleased to hear about Isinbayeva tirade, and good for him:

“Oh, my god. I can’t believe she said that. It’s bad,” Symmonds told the AP. “For Yelena to come out and say we are normal, standard Russian citizens — I’m paraphrasing here — and we don’t stand for that.

“I want to say to Yelena, ‘You understand a very large portion of your citizens here are gay and lesbian people. They are standard people, too. They were created this way. For you to tell them that they’re not normal and standard, that’s what we’re taking an issue with.’ That’s why we have to continue to demonstrate and to speak out against the ignorance that she’s showing.”

And there’s now video.

IOC: We’ll ban athletes spreading gay “propaganda” at Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reiterated yesterday that it would ban any Olympic athlete guilty of spreading “propaganda” at the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi, Russia next February.

Using the same unfortunate language that is in Russia’s draconian new anti-gay/anti-trans “propaganda” law, the IOC appeared to stand by the decision, reported earlier this week, to ban the LGBT Pride House at this year’s Olympics.

The IOC’s new statement, banning gay “propaganda,” was given to the Washington Blade yesterday.

IOC bans Pride House

Earlier this week, Gay Star News reported that it asked the IOC whether there would again be an LGBT Pride House at the Sochi Olympics, and got the following shocking response:

We also asked if the IOC would provide a safe space – or Pride House – for LGBT athletes, spectators, dignitaries and others during the games to celebrate gay sport and community.
But their spokeswoman told us: ‘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.
‘This rule has been in place for many years and applied when necessary.

Pride House was allowed at London and Vancouver games

Yet, in the previous two Olympics in London and Vancouver, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender “Pride House” was created to give gay and trans athletes a place to relax, congregate, and hopefully build a greater sense of community.  How could Pride House be permitted under the Olympic Charter in London and Vancouver, but not in Moscow?

It’s seems rather clear that the IOC caved to Russian pressure.  The Russians banned Pride House last year, in violation of the Olympic Charter, claiming it would lead to the end of all civilization.  At the time, the IOC issued a wishy-washy statement, but that was all.  That has now changed.

Russia says Pride House threatens its “territorial integrity”

From our earlier coverage of the Russian ban on Pride House:

A Russian judge has sided with the Russian government, claiming that if the Olympics again have a Pride House for LGBT athletes, it could force Russia to literally split in two.

But judge Svetlana Mordovina ruled against them saying that Pride House would threaten the growth of the Russian population and therefore risk the country’s ‘territorial integrity’.

And the IOC now agrees.  ”Pride House,” and gay pride generally, is now “political propaganda” unworthy of the Olympics.

IOC fails to define “gay propaganda”

But if the IOC thinks this is the latest statement it needs to answer about gays and the Olympics, it is sadly mistaken.  Thanks to the IOC’s bizarre statements this week, it is now unclear if gay Olympians can even appear in public with their legally-wed spouses, as, under Russian law, that’s “gay propaganda.”

You know what else is gay propaganda?

- A gay man holding his husband’s hand in public.

- Permitting NBC News into your home to interview you and your husband, “Up Close and Personal” – like the American media does for every other US athlete.

- A lesbian having her wife show up at her Olympic competition, where the media is bound to show a picture of her wife, and identity her, while the Olympian is competing.

- Hugging your gay spouse after they win, or lose, a competition.

- Wearing a Gay Pride pin.

- Wearing Freedom Rings.

- Wearing your wedding ring if you had a “gay” marriage.

The list of what constitutes “gay propaganda” is seemingly endless.

So what does the IOC ban and what does it not ban?  No one knows.