Courtesy Principle 6 Campaign
With just weeks left before the Sochi Winter Games, both the Australian men’s and women’s bobsled teams have announced partnerships with the Principle 6 Campaign to show support for Russia’s LGBT community.
“We’re against discrimination in sport, full stop,” said Heath Spence, captain of the Australian Men’s bobsled team. “That means we also oppose discrimination against gay and lesbian athletes.”
The campaign, named after the International Olympic Committee’s nondiscrimination clause, Principle 6, opposes anti-LGBT policies and discrimination in Russia and was formed early last month by two nonprofits: Athlete Ally and All Out. Starting this week, the Principle 6 Campaign becomes an official sponsor for the men’s team with its logo appearing on its bobsled at the World Cup event in Lake Placid, N.Y.
“We don’t just believe that on principle — some of our most loyal supporters have been gay,” Heath said. “They’ve supported us, so it would be hypocritical of us not to support them. All of us bobsledders are the biggest, the strongest, the fastest athletes in the Winter Olympics. And there’s two or four of us jammed into a sled. If we can support gay rights, why can’t everybody else? We’re proud to have the Principle 6 badge on our sleds.”
No comments:
Post a Comment