Posted on 01/16/2014 4:20:52 AM PST by Freelance Warrior
ROME (AP) - A senior Italian IOC member criticized the United States on Wednesday for including openly gay athletes in its official delegation for next month's Sochi Olympics.
"It's absurd that a country like that sends four lesbians to Russia just to demonstrate that in their country gay rights have (been established)," Mario Pescante said at an Italian Olympic Committee meeting in Milan on Wednesday, in comments widely reported by Italian media. "The games should not be an occasion and a stage to promote rights that sports supports daily."
Asked for clarification later by The Associated Press, Pescante [...]told the AP by telephone. "I just wanted to make the point not to let politics interfere with the Olympics."
For the first time since 2000, the U.S. delegation to the Olympics will not include a president, vice president or first lady. President Obama is sending three openly gay athletes - tennis great Billie Jean King, figure skater Brian Boitano and hockey player Caitlin Cahow.
USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky declined to comment.
Pescante said he will put forth a proposal [...] so that in the future when the Olympic truce is signed at the United Nations it also will have a section devoted to political protests.
"We've seen boycotts, concerns over Aborigine rights in Australia, the Tibet issue in China. It's enough already," Pescante told The AP. "There are always going to be issues wherever the games are held, but the best way to combat these issues is by letting the games unfold and sending thousands of journalists to these places to report on what is going on there."
(Excerpt) Read more at m.apnews.com ...
I’m just angry that Kyle Okposo wasn’t chosen for the US olympic hockey team. Now I hope they don’t go anywhere this year.
The Great Satan is doing its part to sustain its growing worldwide reputation as the arrogant worldwide missionary of Hollywood hedonism. Hillary Clinton’s vision of the greatness of America.
Indeed. The queer contingent led by Obama and Clinton. Arrogant and out of touch with any personal sense of restraint or good manners.
Poking the Russian Bear in the eye with a (gay) stick. Putin is not amused and will not forget ..... there will be retribution somewhere in the future.
with luck
Putin has em all locked up for being a fag in Russia which is now illegal.
throw em in a max security prison for awhile
That's the most sensible statement I've ever seen from anyone even remotely associated with the IOC.
One gets the feeling that Putin would almost prefer a terrorist attack....
“...arrogant worldwide missionary of Hollywood hedonism...”
Well stated Colonel...too bad it is the sad truth.
He can kill terrorists.
M’dear..you state the obvious so forcefully. I was trying for a bit of subtlety
Well, that's a blessing, anyway.
Time was when people would stop fighting during the Olympic Games, which were a celebration of athletics instead of politics. It appears that the Games are now a celebration of sodomy according to the current regime.
It’s just plain wrong to not respect the values of a country one visits. If gay athletes don’t like it, and don’t want to participate if they can’t flaunt their sexuality, they should stay home. Make a tough choice instead of whining. It isn’t rocket science.
I’m not feeling “subtle” today. :-)
This “in-your-face” attitude ain’t gonna fly in a country that is really civilized and doesn’t have the need to flaunt perversion.
America is so naive in their attitudes. Europeans just shrug their shoulders and “live and let live”. This will just look ignorant and rude.
We will be the Ugly Americans....again.
Including gays in the USA delegation to a country with no gay rights? What ever happened to “we have to accept it, it’s their culture”? Hypocrites!
There are lesbian Olympic athletes? No way! When did this happen????????
Sincerely,
East German Women’s Swimming Team
“It’s settled law”.
Well, because I am..I won't go near that..let alone touch it...(G)
Have a great day!!
“Poking the Russian Bear in the eye with a (gay) stick. Putin is not amused and will not forget ..... there will be retribution somewhere in the future.”
There already is Russian retribution. Putin won’t give Snowden back to Obama. Hah.
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