With the Winter Olympics only two days away, gay rights campaigners called for an end to discrimination as activists staged protests in 20 cities around the world on Wednesday (February 5). Activists from the All Out gay rights group have urged major corporate sponsors to speak out about the way Games host Russia treats gay people. Rights groups have also written to the heads of the 10 global Olympic sponsors -- which also include U.S. consumer goods group Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola -- calling on them to use their marketing to promote equality. "In the context of Sochi I think, how the LGBT community is being talked about or treated is on display more so than it would be in other countries," Hudson Taylor, the Executive Director of gay rights group "Athlete Ally" said at the Russian Black Sea resort. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the Games in Sochi to showcase a strong, modern Russia but attention has also focused on a law passed last year that critics say fuels discrimination against gays and lesbians. The issue has caused embarrassment for the major companies who pay around 100 million US dollars each for rights to sponsor the Olympics over a four-year period and want to tap into a feelgood atmosphere at Games time. Sponsors have said they are opposed to discrimination but say it is up to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure that the Games are free of prejudice. "When we look at the Olympic charter and we look at the language of the principles of Olympism, they so clearly speak against discrimination. Rule two is actually in the mission and vision of the Olympics, is that we should act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic movement so I think within the charter itself there is a drive to create change and promote progress and although it can be seen as political, it is really not about politics, it's about principles," Taylor said. Athletes face a dilemma over whether to speak out and risk falling foul of another IOC rule outlawing political protests at Games. Last week the IOC said athletes at the Winter Olympics may be punished for making statements on the podium against Russia's anti-gay laws or human rights record but could do so at news conferences without fear of sanction. Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, explained that under the Olympic Charter political protests and demonstrations within venues are not allowed. "There's been a very cautious environment for an athlete looking to make a statement," said Taylor. "That being said having the president of the IOC say that athletes can say what they want interviews. I think that is an enormous stamp of approval and will make many athletes feel comfortable stating their mind on these issues." Athlete Ally, a group formed to fight homophobia in sport, is running a campaign based on Principle 6 of the Olympic charter which spells out a commitment to equality for all. It is using the Principle 6 tag on social media and a range of clothing to get its message across and sees it as a way for athletes to make their point within the rules. "So with the Principle 6 campaign we now have over 50 current and former Olympic athletes that have signed on to support what we're trying to do and I think that that is a tremendous statement. A handful of those Olympians are here competing at Sochi so I think that this will be remembered as a Games in which athletes stood up for human rights, in which they upheld the Olympic charter and the Olympic values," Taylor said.

• published: 05 Feb 2014
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