If I am not mistaken, Apollo Ohno (not sure if I spelled that right) is gay…he’s also local to me somewhat, as I think he’s from Seattle. He’s a speed skater.

Maybe the Russians are hoping these types of laws will give them an advantage, enabling them to rack up more wins and tout an elevated medal count. Who knows? It’s very Cold War-ish, isn’t it?

As much as I would like to say the Olympics should be boycotted so Russia feels the hit politically, and particularly economically, I think the better message to send would be to highlight the medal earnings of gay athletes to show a special spirit of defiance in the face of adversity and discrimination.

Fuck ’em. We’ll still be fabulous.

Have to agree with previous comments but also feel Putin is sticking it in Obama’s face as there is no love lost between these two and Putin knows Obama’s statements are all hot air and never backed up or followed through on. An athlete should compete without having to worry about his sexual preferences as they do not and should not influence his ability to perform to his best.

Have to respectfully disagree. The IOC’s charter reads that sport is a human right open to all people regardless of race, religion, sex, or sexuality. THe IOC needs to withdraw from Russia. Moreover, the Russians have announced that they will uphold their anti-gay laws at the Olympics, meaning if any gay/lesbian athlete is considered to be making a positive statement about GLBT people, they can be jailed, even if they are foreign nationals. The comparison to Nazi Germany is apt. But we shouldn’t kid ourselves about the very real danger American Olympians may be in if the press asks a simple question about if his partner is there inRussia with him – it really can be enough to get him and his partner arrested.

Brian and Pete25: Let’s also not forget that there are lesbian athletes, too, who might be at the Olympics…they’d be in just as much danger if they are in Russia.

Then I think our participation needs to be rethought for the protection of all.