The Olympics are a time when people of all backgrounds can come together and enjoy competition together.
Since the 2014 Olympics in Russia are creeping up on us, President Barack Obama has been talking about Vladimir Putin’s choice to not let gay and lesbian people publicly express themselves. In a press conference on Friday he said:
“I know that one question that├óΓé¼Γäós been raised is, how do we approach the Olympics? I want to just make very clear right now, I do not think it├óΓé¼Γäós appropriate to boycott the Olympics. We├óΓé¼Γäóve got a bunch of Americans out there who are training hard, who are doing everything they can to succeed. Nobody├óΓé¼Γäós more offended than me by some of the anti-gay and lesbian legislation that you├óΓé¼Γäóve been seeing in Russia, but as I said just this week, I├óΓé¼Γäóve spoken out against that not just with respect to Russia, but a number of other countries where we continue to do work with them, but we have a strong disagreement on this issue.
And one of the things I├óΓé¼Γäóm really looking forward to is maybe some gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the gold or silver or bronze, which I think would go a long way in rejecting the kind of attitudes that we├óΓé¼Γäóre seeing there. And if Russia doesn├óΓé¼Γäót have gay or lesbian athletes, then that would probably make their team weaker.”
Well said, sir!
Obama also talked with Jay Leno on Tuesday and elaborated on his thoughts there too.
No matter whether you’re gay, lesbian, straight or a monk, athletics is an arena for everyone to show off their hard work and talent.
The Olympics are still a ways off, so there’s always a chance that Putin could come to his senses.
[Image via WENN.]