didn't the country previously announce that gay competitors and athletes wouldn't be exempt from Russia's anti-gay laws or their corresponding punishments? this article doesn't come out and say so, but I remember earlier reports that did. I don't know if I can bring myself to watch the Olympics this time around, but it feels almost stupid to say it; I imagine Russia is far from the only host whose social policies are in direct opposition to mine, and I just hadn't thought of it in past events or didn't follow closely enough. anyone else feeling that way? edit: plus, you'd have a hard time finding a country to host the World Cup that would keep me from watching, so it almost feels insincere to call it a personal boycott for social reasons entirely rather than partly based in casual convenience.Last week, Putin said that gay visitors should feel “at ease” during the Olympics.
I've been trying to figure out what exactly can be done about the disparity between the social policies of the various member countries. The Olympics have been overtly political before and certainly will be again ... but is that fair to the athletes? Should the whole thing just be a sporting event? Or is it unfair to gay people to ignore Russia's position? Can't figure this one out.
It should simply be about the best athletes competing to prove themselves as the best in the world. So in that regard the social policies of the host country or participant countries shouldn't matter. However, if those social policies start to impact on the ability of athletes to attend or compete then it undermines the ethos of the Olympics.