Future Olympic host cities must sign non-discrimination clause
Thu. September 25, 2014 10:12 AM by OnTopMag.com
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has amended its host city contract to include a non-discrimination clause.
The move comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding Russia's staging of the Winter Olympics. A law prohibiting the promotion of "gay propaganda" to minors went into effect in Russia just months before athletes began arriving in Sochi to compete.
The new language will be included in the contract signed by the host city chosen for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The IOC said the language will mirror what is found in its Olympic Charter.
"Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement," reads the charter's Fundamental Principle 6.
LGBT rights advocate All Out organized a petition urging the IOC to change its rules. On Wednesday, the group declared victory.
"[This] sends a clear message to future host cities that human rights violations, including those against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, will not be tolerated," Andre Banks, the group's co-founder and executive director, told the Chicago Tribune.
The move comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding Russia's staging of the Winter Olympics. A law prohibiting the promotion of "gay propaganda" to minors went into effect in Russia just months before athletes began arriving in Sochi to compete.
The new language will be included in the contract signed by the host city chosen for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The IOC said the language will mirror what is found in its Olympic Charter.
"Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement," reads the charter's Fundamental Principle 6.
LGBT rights advocate All Out organized a petition urging the IOC to change its rules. On Wednesday, the group declared victory.
"[This] sends a clear message to future host cities that human rights violations, including those against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, will not be tolerated," Andre Banks, the group's co-founder and executive director, told the Chicago Tribune.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine