|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Aug 10, 2013 12:15:46 GMT -8
I posted an interview a few days ago (see the New Zealand thread) with Blake Skjellerup regarding Russia's anti-gay laws and threats to enforce them during the Olympics. Yesterday President Obama stated NO intention to boycott the Olympics over this issue. Virtually EVERY LGBT athlete, past and present, opposes a boycott, citing that boycotts are guaranteed to hurt athletes; they are not guaranteed to produce any other desired results. Also, Greg Louganis (gay Olympic gold medalist) "raised an additional worry: If advocates for LGBT rights succeeded in getting the United States and other countries to abandon the Sochi games, they might seem to be overreaching and might incur ill will.
“In many people’s eyes, that would be very selfish,” Louganis said."The IOC has put pressure on Russia to 'back off' - and recently Russia appeared to capitulate, indicating that they will 'relax' the laws during the Olympics - however, one of the articles below makes me think that the argument is still going on among Russian politicians. Let's hope they choose to embody the ideals of the Olympics in their 'discussions'... ------------------- An Olympic Legend on Boycotts and BigotryBy FRANK BRUNI / New York Times / July 29, 2013 bruni.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/29/an-olympic-legend-on-boycotts-and-bigotry/?_r=1------------------- Olympians speak outGay athletes, allies plan to make statement with words and competitionBy Johnette Howard | ESPN.com / July 30, 2013 espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/9522393/olympians-speak-anti-gay-laws-russia------------------- Winter Olympics 2014: Gay athletes and tourists ‘face arrest’ in RussiaWednesday 31 Jul 2013 11:57 am metro.co.uk/2013/07/31/winter-olympics-2014-gay-athletes-and-tourists-face-arrest-in-russia-3905840/
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Aug 10, 2013 13:59:38 GMT -8
Ya know, you have to wonder what the thinking is here (or non thinking as the case may be). The Olympics is usually the opportunity a country takes to show the rest of the world just how spiffy they are. Russia seems to be more interested in showing the world just how backwards they are. Or maybe they WANT the US to boycott the games. It didn't work with Snowden, so now they're going for a different tact with the LGBT community.
But I agree, boycotting the games only scr3ws the athletes. If this country really wanted to hurt Russia, they'd cut off their wheat imports. But then big ag would go postal, and some political hack won't get re-elected. From what I've read, all of this smells to high heaven of political posturing just to get reelected, while the laws themselves just make life miserable for those it affects.
Politicians suck...in every language.
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Aug 10, 2013 16:00:16 GMT -8
Or maybe they WANT the US to boycott the games. Politicians suck...in every language. First quote: Good point, and one I hadn't considered, haha! Second quote:
|
|
therockfairy
Member
I'll wear my cynicism like a tattoo
Posts: 3
|
Post by therockfairy on Aug 15, 2013 11:52:08 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Aug 18, 2013 14:26:30 GMT -8
Here are some recent finds about Russia's anti-gay controversy (after the 'serious stuff', make sure you check out the Colbert video )... Sochi Olympics: Outcry grows over Russia's anti-gay billBy Stephen Wilson / The Associated Press / Posted: 08/11/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT ...the International Olympic Committee is coming under pressure to take a tougher line and demand that Russia respect the Olympic Charter's rules against discrimination.
...For now, Putin and his government have shown little sign of backing down.Read it all: www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_23837505/sochi-olympics-outcry-grows-over-russias-anti-gay------- The next article states the IOC's support for a Rule in the Olympic Charter against "proactive political or religious demonstration" - which I 'get' - but earlier articles also show their support for Olympic Rules against discrimination. The author of this piece makes good points, though (as I highlighted below) - no matter what the IOC or the Russian government does, LGBT fans and athletes will likely not be welcome by the locals and may face vigilante danger in Sochi. International Olympic Committee May Join Russia in Punishing Gay AthletesJamie McGonnigal / Huffington Post / Posted: 08/12/2013 4:45 pm At this point, I can't imagine that there is anything that the IOC can say to actually ensure the safety of Olympic participants or fans, whether it be from the Russian government itself or from vigilantes who are rarely if ever prosecuted for their crimes against LGBT people. While boycotts and news stories have been effective at getting the word out about the atrocities being carried out against LGBT people in Russia, none of this will actually make anyone safer in Russia. And none of it will stop LGBT athletes from constantly having to look over their shoulders as they compete for Olympic gold.Read it all: www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-mcgonnigal/international-olympic-committee-russia-gay-athletes_b_3744891.html--------------------- And on the Lighter Side, here's Stephen Colbert's repor(t) on the matter: www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/428600/august-14-2013/sochi-2014-winter-olympics
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Aug 30, 2013 8:57:48 GMT -8
And so it begins.
NBC's promo for the Sochi Olympics. Quick glimpse of J.R. Celski and Shawni Davis
Don't know why I can't get the link to play on my computer. Here's the URL in parenthesis to go directly to youtube. Copy and paste in your browser minus the parentheses if it won't play for you either.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ouk7yLHI6i8)
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Aug 30, 2013 9:12:36 GMT -8
NICE promo - don't know about y'all, but it got ME pumped up!
BTW, I had to copy/paste the link too - I checked your formatting and everything looks okay, not sure why it didn't work...
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Sept 13, 2013 12:30:56 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Sept 13, 2013 12:58:03 GMT -8
Get to know Sochi
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Sept 13, 2013 17:34:12 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Sept 13, 2013 21:30:51 GMT -8
Excellent, EXCELLENT prequel to the Games - thanks for sharing this!
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Sept 18, 2013 12:54:48 GMT -8
Another NBC promo from youtube for the Sochi Olympics. This time with some brief emphasis from some returning U.S. Olympic icons. (Shawn White without his signature long hair. He's handsome, but it somehow kinda feels like Apolo shaving off his soul patch, LOL.)
If it doesn't play, paste in the following url without the parenthesis. It appears NBC doesn't like direct playing from forums. Ya gotta go to youtube.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-eftBqPoIU)
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Sept 18, 2013 14:31:56 GMT -8
Another very nice video, Mtnme!
I had to copy & paste - you can also Click on the title 'Sochi Olympic Preview' in the top bar of Mtnme's video preview above.
Just curious - do y'all know of any USA Short Track fans who are planning to go to Sochi? For Vancouver, there were quite a few USA fans going, and we had an ongoing discussion about tickets, lodging, transportation, etc.
It was a very confusing labyrinth, with layers of tickets being released on various dates. Is it even worth trying to ferret out ticket info to post here? It'll probably be mainly family & close friends this time around, eh?
At any rate, if anyone DOES know any logistical info that would be helpful to spectators, feel free to share!
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Sept 21, 2013 9:45:54 GMT -8
A very interesting video on the actual facilities being built for the Sochi Olympic events and transportation.
I especially like how the Russians actually thought about what to do with these facilities after the games (as opposed to China who spent all that money only to leave the facilities empty and decaying).
The Ice arenas appear to be buildings that can be moved. (huh? da? wha???) and I really like that they are so open and airy. Most ice rinks tend to be tin cans, little more than warehouses with no windows. The buildings are all pretty centralized too. Almost creates a sports/events district that is easily navigated.
Once again, if it doesn't play, copy and paste the link below without the parenthesis)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S5R8hNUKtk)
|
|
|
Post by Laura (Lori) on Sept 21, 2013 11:25:23 GMT -8
The 'Play' button worked for me!
|
|