NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus on Saturday said that NBC
would provide coverage of Russian anti-gay laws if they affected the
Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The laws, signed in recent weeks by Russian President Vladimir
Putin, prohibit gay and lesbian couples from adopting Russian-born
children and the public promotion of gay rights. The nation's “gay
propaganda” law also applies to foreign nationals, who could be
detained for up to 2 weeks for publicly showing support for the LGBT
community.
At a Television Critics Association (TCA) panel, Lazarus said that
all Olympic host nations “come with political and social issues,
and we will address those issues as they are relevant at the times of
the games.”
“Obviously, as a company, we are for equality and opportunity
for all,” he
added. “We don't believe in the spirit of the law they have
passed, and we are hopeful the Olympic spirit will win out.”
Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that
they have assurances that the laws would not be enforced at the
Winter Olympics, which are set to begin February 6.
(Related: Olympic
Committee says Russian anti-gay laws won't affect Sochi games.)