Contrary to popular belief, the Olympic sporting events are quite political.
The International Olympic Committee scheduled the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi, yet there is much controversy surrounding these events after the emergence of an anti-gay law endorsed by Russia’s president.
Passed by Vladimir Putin’s rubber stamp federal assembly and signed by the megalomaniac himself, the new law prohibits “gay propaganda,” and according to the Huffington Post, stipulates that anyone who is gay or supports homosexuality is subject to arrest.
Such fanatical actions require external pressure, and there are many actors involved in this international drama. Aside from the host country, the IOC and participating countries all possess political leverage in regards to the Olympic games.
Perhaps the IOC can persuade Russian lawmakers to retract their homophobic laws in order to foster a fair, competitive and equal environment? Well, in an online article, USA Today confirmed that Jacques Rogge, the IOC President — and Donald Rumsfeld look-alike — was given a written assurance by the Russian government that no participants will face discrimination.
He seems convinced. Russia’s human rights record, however, doesn’t seem so promising. Under Putin’s regime, Russia has become quite restrictive with regards to freedom of expression and the treatment of minorities. The Human Rights Watch’s online profile of Russia warns of a Russian government promising democratic reform in 2011 only to be breached by Putin.
Because the Russian legislature seems incapable of producing thoughts that conflict with its sinister KGB shepherd, the responsibility rests on individual nations.
The United States should set an example and boycott the 2014 Olympics and encourage other countries and the IOC to put a moratorium on all Olympic sporting events scheduled in Russia.
This would keep athletes around the world out of danger and encourage fair treatment of minority groups in Russia. However, in a press conference last Friday, President Obama said that he is not in favor of boycotting the Olympics but would prefer that gay and lesbian athletes bring home medals.
While this reasoning is understandable, it can backfire.
For instance, the 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany, which was then under Nazi leadership. Hitler, who wanted to persuade the international community that Germany was an ideal host — sounds familiar — lightened the anti-Semitic rhetoric and had any anti-Semitic propaganda hidden, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website.
According to the same source, many Jews were banned from sporting clubs and many Roma were rounded up and arrested in preparation for the games. The sporting events were, at the time, widely viewed as a success for the Nazi propaganda machine.
Likewise, American participation in the Russian Olympics would only heighten Russia’s publicity and give an unofficial stamp of approval to its policies. The same can be said of large American multinational corporations — such as Coca-Cola and McDonald’s — who will, in essence, be sponsoring an anti-LGBT environment.
If the Obama administration wants to take on an idealistic world view and project liberal democratic principles onto others, then it must lead by example and not send Americans into a hostile environment in exchange for gold medals.
Richard Vieira is a political science senior. His column appears on Fridays. A version of this column ran on page 6 on 8/30/2013 under the headline "US should boycott the Olympics in Russia"
