IOC Vice President: There will be no discrimination at the Sochi Winter Olympics
One of the candidates running to become the next President of the International Olympic Committee says he’s confident the rights of LGBT athletes and spectators will be protected at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Ser Miang, who is also a Vice President of the IOC, on Monday said: “This anti-gay law; we now have a written assurance from the highest authority that there will be no discrimination of any kind, respect to the provisions of the Olympic Charter as well as the fundamental principle against discrimination of any kind.
“So the rights of those who are attending the Games, from spectators, to officials, to media, especially the athletes, will be respected.
“I believe that Sochi will be a wonderful Games.”
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree last week banning all protests during the Sochi Olympics from 7 January to 21 March 2014.
President Putin also said that the “gay propaganda” law would be enforced.
The IOC released a statement last week saying it was content with safety assurances given by the Russian Government regarding the safety of those attending the Games.
Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC, steps down in September.
