Google on Thursday celebrated LGBT
Olympians as the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia got underway.
The Internet search giant published a
Google Doodle of athletes against a rainbow-colored backdrop.
Underneath the logo is a quote from the Olympic Charter: “The
practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the
possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind
and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a
spirit of friendship and fair play.”
Google's daily doodle is typically
updated at midnight Eastern time. However, this Olympic logo was
published in the late afternoon, which means it will be visible in
Russia as the Olympics get underway on Friday.
HRC President Chad Griffin applauded
the move.
“Google has once again proven itself
to be a true corporate leader for equality,” Griffin
said in a statement. “Alongside Olympic sponsors like AT&T,
Google has made a clear and unequivocal statement that Russia's
anti-LGBT discrimination is indefensible. Now it's time for each and
every remaining Olympic sponsor to follow their lead. The clock is
ticking, and the world is watching.”