Wednesday, January 15, 2014

nternational Olympic Committee Member Accuses Gays and Obama of "Political Terrorism”


I have long felt that the International Olympic Committee has its head up its ass and lacks a spine (some things never change, remember Berlin in 1936?).  And as for its assurances that gays will not face discrimination or harassment at the Sochi Games,  I have a very low level of confidence.  After all, the IOC is relying on the word of Vladimir Putin, a quasi-dictator and former KGB thug.  Now, an IOC member is accusing gays and Barack Obama of engaging in "political terrorism" because of criticism of Russia's anti-gay laws and veiled threats against those who speak out against Russian homophobia and violence against gays.  AmericaBlog has details.  Here are highlights:
A senior member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suggested today that President Obama and gay rights advocates are participating in “political terrorism” by raising concerns about Russia’s anti-gay crackdown and how it might affect the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia next month.

While many news outlets already noted Italian IOC member Mario Pescante’s criticism of the Obama administration for sending “four lesbians” as part of the US delegation to the Winter Olympics, most missed what else Pescante said.  He accused the United States, and gay rights advocates, of being political terrorists akin to “Chechnya.”

AP for example, has Pescante’s initial comments about the lesbians:
“It’s absurd that a country like that sends four lesbians to Russia just to demonstrate that in their country gay rights have (been established),” Mario Pescante said at an Italian Olympic Committee meeting in Milan on Wednesday, in comments widely reported by Italian media. “The games should not be an occasion and a stage to promote rights that sports supports daily.”
What AP missed was Pescante’s larger point about the US, gays, and those who raised concerns about the Tibet, etc. at previous Olympics, participating in “political terrorism.”

In fact, President Obama sent two openly-lesbian athletes, Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow, as part of the US delegation to the 2014 Winter Olympics. He also sent Brian Boitano, who has since come out as gay.  That’s 3 gay people overall, and 2 lesbians – at least openly.  Who are the other two lesbians?

Putting that aside, the more important issue is that the International Olympic Committee has been unfriendly to human rights since its inception.  And they handled the Russian gay crackdown, and Russia’s threats to jail gay Olympic athletes, horribly.  But to have a senior member of the International Olympic Committee accuse the US, President Obama, and gay rights advocates, of “terrorism,” is really beyond the pale.
Had the IOC had a spine, much of the controversy could have been nipped in the bud had Russia been told that its award of hosting the games was expressly contingent on compliance with ALL non-discrimination and human rights policies.   Better yet, it could have said "no" to Russia's bid.  But, instead, the IOC coddles tyrants and those who engage in human rights abuses.  A major overhaul of the IOC is needed and/or a replacement organization needs to be put in place. 

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