Olympics on gays

MOSCOW. — International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge reaffirmed yesterday his organisation’s commitment to an Olympic Games free of all discrimination in the light of the passing of a controversial Russian law banning “homosexual propoganda”.
The 71-year-old Belgian, speaking on the eve of the athletics world championships in Moscow and with the Sochi Olympics due to start next February, said the IOC was unable to make any decision about measures to take until they had clarification over the law.
However, he said that the clarifications were to do with the English translation of a couple of paragraphs in the text.
Rogge, who steps down from his post on September 10, was asked whether he would condemn the law but said without the full details he could not comment yet made it clear the rules within the Olympic Charter had to be respected.
“We have to abide by the Olympic charter, the charter is very clear,” said Rogge.
“Sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation.” Rogge, who has been in the post for 12 years having been elected by his fellow IOC members in Moscow, said that assurances had been received but more clarity was required.
“The law was adopted and we received assurances from the head organiser of the Sochi Olympics,” said Rogge, a former Olympic yachtsman.
“We asked for and received the assurances in writing but we are still seeking clarifications on two paragraphs in which we are not clear about the translation of the Russian law.
“It is more a translation issue not about fundamentals.” As to whether the IOC would discipline athletes who made protests during the Games, Rogge said that, too, was not clear.
“We would treat every case independently,” he added. The controversy has threatened to overshadow the beginning of the world championships. — AFP.