Should players, sports organizations, or the whole COC boycott the Sochi Olympics?

[SebC]

I think a sponsor boycott might be worth exploring... as an individual, you could consider boycotting sponsors that don't co-operate.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by jammies

Above is the argument. It is wrong due to false equivalency.

The End.

It's less false equivalency than it is massive hypocrisy. If you want to give someone the freedom to use the ceremonies to push a message, have the courage to allow any message. Even if you don't like it. The IOC is going to choose the opposite, and act the best it can to prevent any message other than "we're here to play games". So don't count on any sort of organized, widespread action.

[driveway]

It seems the general feeling is that some kind of statement made by athletes regarding Russia's treatment of homosexuals would be a good thing, but that boycotting may not be the best way to go about this. Particularly in the case of athletes who have trained for years and years to attend the Olympics.

So my next question. What about NHL athletes? What would be the benefit or lack thereof of NHL players deciding not to attend the Sochi games? These are not amateur athletes, nor are they athletes for whom the Olympics represents the pinnacle of their careers.

They are far and away the most high-profile athletes attending the games as the Men's Hockey Tournament is the crown jewel of the Winter Olympics. Would NHL athletes staying home bring the right kind of attention to this issue?

[SebC]

I think if Team Russia were to boycott the games, that would make a statement... but Team Canada (and USA etc.) staying home would probably just help Putin sell the idea that human rights make you weak.

[polak]

Originally Posted by driveway

They are far and away the most high-profile athletes attending the games as the Men's Hockey Tournament is the crown jewel of the Winter Olympics. Would NHL athletes staying home bring the right kind of attention to this issue?

Don't know about that. Shawn White, Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller, Apollo Anton Ohno and a handful of other Americans probably have a higher profile in the US. Then there are other famous athletes from other countries. The only place where the hockey players themselves are potentially the highest profile are Canada, Russia, Czech, Sweden, Slovakia and Finland. Outside of Russia, those are all very small countries.

The mens tournament might be the highest profile event (not even sure about that, but I could see it) just like the marathon is in the summer games, but the players themselves aren't the highest profile athletes to most of the world. Similar to the runners in the marathon.

[Duruss]

Just how much danger would athletes and their families be In if they either protested this in someway IE:Rainbow scarf. Or if they admitted to being homosexual in an interview while at or before the games?

If Russia were corrupt enough might they use this as a way to try and thin the field?

[Peanut]

Woo first vote in the poll! I said "athlete-led" as I think it should be the decision of the individual athlete if they want to boycott or not.

Maybe I myself won't watch the Olympics as a personal boycott. Not sure if that really sends any statement to Russia though, or just CTV.

[polak]

I voted no boycott because unless you were able to get unanimous acceptance from all of the non-homophobic athletes (which by the way would probably be close to 50/50 if you ask me, most of the world is not tolerant) cause even if you got a majority, you'd still be ruining the olympics for a lot of people who might not get another chance, and a boycott would probably be ineffective since Russia's own people support the law.

[PIMking]

Nothing would be better than to watch a gay dude win the gold and kiss his husband on the medal stand.

Kinda like Hitler watching the Black Americans kick his nazi ass in the 36 summer Olympics

[polak]

Fun fact, apparently Jessie Owens preferred his time in Berlin to America. Makes sense considering the treatment of black in the states while in Berlin, he was treated like every other athlete. Apparently Hitler waved to him too which is more than FDR did.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by PIMking

Nothing would be better than to watch a gay dude win the gold and kiss his husband on the medal stand.

I think that this would be the best protest possible.

[CaptainCrunch]

One small protest started today as a Vancouver Gay Bar boycotted Russian Vodka, if all of the gay bars in Canada and the U.S. did this, and everyone stopped buying Russian Vodka in liquor stores it would have a definite impact.

Think about that when you go and pick up your liquor this weekend or order that ceasar in the bar. Or buy that box of Smiroff coolers.

Sometimes small cuts can be fatal.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

One small protest started today as a Vancouver Gay Bar boycotted Russian Vodka, if all of the gay bars in Canada and the U.S. did this, and everyone stopped buying Russian Vodka in liquor stores it would have a definite impact.

Think about that when you go and pick up your liquor this weekend or order that ceasar in the bar. Or buy that box of Smiroff coolers.

Sometimes small cuts can be fatal.

Time to buy stock in

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It's less false equivalency than it is massive hypocrisy. If you want to give someone the freedom to use the ceremonies to push a message, have the courage to allow any message. Even if you don't like it. The IOC is going to choose the opposite, and act the best it can to prevent any message other than "we're here to play games". So don't count on any sort of organized, widespread action.

It's only hypocrisy if you consider all speech equal, which is ridiculous.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

One small protest started today as a Vancouver Gay Bar boycotted Russian Vodka, if all of the gay bars in Canada and the U.S. did this, and everyone stopped buying Russian Vodka in liquor stores it would have a definite impact.

Think about that when you go and pick up your liquor this weekend or order that ceasar in the bar. Or buy that box of Smiroff coolers.

Sometimes small cuts can be fatal.

Smirnoff is actually owned by Diageo plc, a British company.

[undercoverbrother]

I voted no boycott.

I can't recall there being an up roar about China hosting (god knows they give plenty of reason) I can't get behind one against Russia.

[troutman]

Hey Russia - Free P@ssy Riot!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by troutman

Hey Russia - Free P@ssy Riot!

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Punishing athletes for something out of their control is absolutely stupid.

Are you referring to the idea of a boycott, or their sexual preference?

[MissTeeks]

http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130726/182...i-Gay-Law.html

MOSCOW, July 26 (R-Sport) - The International Olympic Committee told R-Sport on Friday that it had received “assurances from the highest level” of Russian government that athletes and spectators at next year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi would be exempt from a controversial law banning anything deemed as promoting homosexuality.
Since it was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin last month, the legislation targeting so-called homosexual propaganda has attracted calls from activists around the world to boycott Russia’s first Winter Olympics.
“As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media,” the IOC said in an emailed statement.
“To that end, the IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”
The IOC added that “this legislation has just been passed into law, and it remains to be seen whether and how it will be implemented, particularly as regards the Games in Sochi.”

Article comes with an age warning:

This article contains information not suitable for readers younger than 18 years of age, according to Russian legislation.