Peter Vidmar, who was appointed as chief of mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and immediately criticized for his anti-gay sentiments, resigned from the position on Friday.
After proponents of marriage equality, like Johnny Weir, found out the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics supported Proposition 8, they spoke out against his representation of the U.S. team.
Vidmar resigned from the post on Friday evening and released a statement, saying:
“I have dedicated my life to the Olympic movement and the ideals of excellence, friendship and respect. I wish that my personal religious beliefs would not have become a distraction from the amazing things that are happening in the Olympic movement in the United States. I simply cannot have my presence become a detriment to the U.S. Olympic family. I hope that by stepping aside, the athletes and their stories will rightly take center stage.”
We’re glad the outcry was heard and Mr. Vidmar respectfully stepped aside, but would like to remind him it was not his “religious beliefs” that have become a “distraction” from the Olympic movement.
Rather, it was what he chose to do with those beliefs, donating money to a cause that denied others the rights and happiness they deserve, that distracted from whatever good he intended to do in the Olympic community.
[Image via Getty Images.]
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