The International Olympic Committee (IOC) slammed the door on Russia’s attempts to muzzle Olympic athletes who wish to speak freely on political issues in press conferences. Olympics president Thomas Bach said that it was the province of the IOC to make the rules, not the Russians who had tried to censor views not related to the games. (The Independent, February 4, 2014, by Alan Hubbard)
The IOC was responding to a statement by Dmitry Chernyshenko January 29 that athletes were not allowed to address issues unrelated to their competitions. The IOC did say that press conferences or awards ceremonies could not be used as platforms for demonstrations or protests. (The Huffington Post, January 30, 2014, by Chris Lehorites, Asssociated Press)
In the meantime the founder of a website in support of Russian gay teen-agers is facing a fine of $2800 for violating a new law banning speech that promotes “nontraditional sexual relations to minors.” The trial of Lena Klimova of a city in the Urals is expected to take place within the next month. (RIA Novosti, January 31, 2014)