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Despite anti-gay laws, Johnny Weir speaks out against boycott of 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi

Openly gay skating champion Johnny Weir is hoping to make another Olympic team and wants to compete even in a country that is enacting a series of anti-gay laws.

Weir says the international athletic competition should not be ‘a political statement.’

‘The fact that Russia is arresting my people, and openly hating a minority and violating Human Rights all over the place is heartbreaking and a travesty of international proportions, but I still will compete,’ Weir said. ‘There isn’t a police officer or a government that, should I qualify, could keep me from competing at the Olympics.’

‘I respect the LGBT community full heartedly, but I implore the world not to boycott the Olympic Games because of Russia’s stance on LGBT rights or lack thereof.

He added: ‘I beg the gay athletes not to forget their missions and fight for a chance to dazzle the world. I pray that people will believe in the Olympic movement no matter where the event is being held, because the Olympics are history, and they do not represent their host, they represent the world entire.’

‘People make their own futures, and should a government or sponsor steal that future, whether it be the Russian government or American government, it is, as an athlete, the death and total demolition of a lifetime of work. Support the athletes.’

FILE UNDER: Sports

Comments

(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)

10 Remarks

  1. I hear ya, Johnny but the Russian government stands to rake in millions and millions of rupees which will pay the salaries of their hate enforcers. I say keep training and go back to the games in 4 years!

  2. Oops, Rubles, nd maybe some rupees, too!

  3. The IOC should pull the olympics from Russia and use the backup site. They generally do have a site that can be readied in a hurry even if not perfect. There was talk of this a few years ago when there was concern of one site not having appropriate winter weather.

  4. July 26th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
    Chandler In Las Vegas says:

    Just wait till they refuse him entry…

  5. Remember what Jessie Owens did to Hitler when the Olympics were in Germany. He humiliated what Hitler stood for. Our Gay athletes can and should do the same in Russia!

  6. No such boycotting like the 80′s Olympics, but some form of protest will definitely be demonstrated by athletes (no matter how subtle) where most likely be monitored or censored by Russian officials and edited out during NBC Sports’ broadcast.

  7. @2201 East,I think that you have a very good point in following the inspiring lead of what Jessie Owens did in Germany. But what if,Putin and his officials follow through on their threats to put in prison anyone and every one they suspect of being gay? Does that only go for the citizens of Russia or anyone from any country who are there at the time for any reason? It might be a very good idea for Johnny Weir and everyone to make sure what they may be getting into before they go there.They might not be as welcome as Snowden.

  8. Good point, Joebatch.

  9. I understand his stance and he has a point, maybe shining in the middle of hatred is the way to overshadow it. But then, he would be secured in an Olympic Village in a kind of tacit diplomatic sanctuary to let “unwanted people from all over the world” do their things. If the only thing we can share with other nations is the willingness to compete (make a huge business for a millionaire show), then the Olympics games are nothing more than that, money devoid of ideals. Fraternity with everybody, except those ones, back there, you can NOT even mention.

  10. Johnny Weir, you are a disgrace to America. Climb back in the hole you came out of. We as Americans, and I feel I am speaking for many, feel you simply want to throw it in Putin’s face. How can we take you serious as a commentator when you’re making the show about you? You’ll never as pretty as Tara Lipinski, not to mention you make a mockery of America for the world to see.

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