Much controversy has been stirred over Russia's anti-gay law with the approaching 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The potential penalties and repercussions of Russia's new legal minefield are extensive. In a lot of senses, almost anything one does can get them arrested under these laws.
All of this makes what the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) did all the more impressive. On October 11, the USOC updated its non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. While the fact that the policy did not already have this statement is unfortunate, its impact could be broad. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not have such a clause but is investigating adding similar language to the IOC Charter. The USOC is pushing for this change.
Even Bode Miller has called the existing Russian laws embarrassing. This Bode Miller.
As can be imagined, such a policy would fly directly in the face of new Russian laws and would inject politics into the coming Olympics unlike any time in the recent past. A proposed boycott is unlikely as it produces little tangible result. Nonetheless, Sochi could be very interesting when it opens on February 7, 2014.
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