The Moscow Olympic will be the biggest travel, tourism and sports event in Russia. Russian leaders anti human rights behavior against the LGBT world community may very well trigger a global boycott of the Olympics. The international Federation of Gay Games recently send this open letter to Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
Dear Dr. Rogge,
I am writing on behalf of the growing number of individuals and organizations from around the world represented in the Pride House International coalition. Our goal is to promote equality in sport, to fight discrimination in and by sport, and in particular to ensure the safety and visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes, In particular, we aim to build on the success of past Games through the organization of Pride Houses at international sporting events to increase exchanges between mainstream and LGBT sport and promote the principle of sport for all, and ultimately greater participation in the Olympic movement.
Among our concerns is the choice of host countries made by the IOC and other sport governing bodies, and especially your choice of Sochi as host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Various members of our coalition have written to you on numerous occasions on this issue, with no response. Indeed, until recently, your only response on this issue, for example the refusal of Russian authorities to authorize a Pride House in Sochi, has been to declare that this is a matter of local law over which you have no authority.
We are therefore somewhat heartened by your recent declaration to RIA Novosti news agency that you would guarantee the safety of athletes and spectators (and others, we hope) identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, in Sochi. But even more recently, a Russian legislator involved in the St Petersburg version of the law has declared that there is no reason federal law would not be enforced for all during the Sochi Olympics, raising doubt about these assurances.
Like you, we hope that no one involved in any way with the 2014 Games will have cause to fear the federal legislation. One way for you to demonstrate this is by hosting a Pride House in Sochi under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee and, to ensure everyoneโs safety there, by having one or more members of the IOC present at all times. Our members are at your disposition to make this a reality and are keen to work in partnership with you.
Given the urgency of this matter, I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this with you as soon as possible and eagerly await your response.
For information about the Federation of Gay Games, visit www.gaygames.org.
The ninth edition of the quadrennial Gay Games will be held in Cleveland + Akron, OH, August 9-16, 2014. For information about Gay Games 9, Cleveland 2014, visit www.gg9cle.com.
About the Gay Games
Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best, since 1982 the Gay Games have empowered thousands of LGBT athletes and artists through sport, culture, and fellowship.
About The Federation of Gay Games
The international Federation of Gay Games is the governing body the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event’s founding principles of โParticipation, Inclusion and Personal Bestโโข. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986 – 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990 – 7,300 participants), New York (1994 – 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998 – 13,000 participants), Sydney (2002 – 11,000 participants), Chicago (2006 – 11,700 participants), and Cologne, (2010 โ 10,000 participants). Gay Games 9 will be held in Cleveland + Akron, OH, USA 9-16 August 2014. Visit www.gg9cle.com for more information.
โGay Games,โ โFederation of Gay Games,โ the interlocking circles device, and the phrase โParticipation, Inclusion and Personal Bestโ are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany, and Australia.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Our goal is to promote equality in sport, to fight discrimination in and by sport, and in particular to ensure the safety and visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes, In particular, we aim to build on the success of past Games through the organization of Pride Houses at international sporting events to increase exchanges between mainstream and LGBT sport and promote the principle of sport for all, and ultimately greater participation in the Olympic movement.
- One way for you to demonstrate this is by hosting a Pride House in Sochi under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee and, to ensure everyone's safety there, by having one or more members of the IOC present at all times.
- Indeed, until recently, your only response on this issue, for example the refusal of Russian authorities to authorize a Pride House in Sochi, has been to declare that this is a matter of local law over which you have no authority.