Lesbian Sochi athlete says fuss over anti-gay laws Russia is ‘blown up bigger than it is’
Lesbian Austrian ski jumper and gay rights advocate Daniela Iraschko-Stolz says that the fuss over anti-gay laws in Russia is being blown out of proportion, despite reports of over 60 arrests and beatings against demonstrators since the games began.
The 30-year-old athlete, who is representing Austria in the Olympic Games, spoke to reporters about whether she was worried about the law prohibiting gay “propaganda” in Russia.
She said: “No, on the contrary, I think everything is being blown up bigger than it is. I had a very good welcome like every other athlete. There were absolutely no problems.”
“Naturally you have to look at it from a different point of view and always be critical, but especially in my situation, I don’t want to talk too much about it,” Ms Iraschko-Stolz added.
“I only want to focus on sports and I think if you’re tolerant towards everyone else they treat you the same way and it gives you a lot of joy. I think you can make a statement by jumping well.”
Commenting on her experiences in Russia, she said: “Living in the Olympic village is much better than I’d ever imagined. At the moment I’m living like a fairy tale because as a child I always wanted to take part in the Olympics Games.”
“That it’s happening now at the age of 30 is unbelievable… every day when I wake up I’m still here and that must mean it’s true.”
