A Russian lawmaker has denied that gay athletes and tourists
attending the Winter Olympics in Sochi will be exempt from the
nation's recently approved “gay propaganda” law, which prohibits
the public promotion of gay rights where minors might be present.
Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that it
has assurances that the law would not be enforced at next year's
Olympic Games.
“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 said.
“The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a
human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or
sexual orientation. The Games themselves should be open to all, free
of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media
and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any
move that would jeopardize this principle.”
But Vitaly Milonov, author of a similar law in St. Petersburg,
denied the claim, saying that the government cannot selectively
enforce the law.
“I have not heard any comments from the government of the
Russian Federation but I know it is acting in accordance with Russian
law,” Milonov
told Interfax. “If a law has been approved by the federal
legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no
right to suspend it. It doesn't have the authority.”
(Related: Russian
anti-gay laws prompt calls for boycotts.)