The International Olympic Committee Can’t Keep Dodging This Simple Question{large image}

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http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/the-olympic-committee-cant-keep-dodging-this-simple-question



WASHINGTON — A key choice the International Olympic Committee will be facing in the coming months was painted all over Emma Green-Tregaro’s fingernails last week.

The Swedish high-jumper’s rainbow demand for LGBT rights in Russia brought to light an obscure question of interpretation that has emerged at the intersection of international athletic competition, human rights and self-expression. Exactly how similar protests play out at the planned Winter Olympics in Sochi will hinge on the way the IOC interprets Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter.

Athletes are already on edge about Russia’s ban on public speech or any other expression that “promotes” LGBT rights — called “non-traditional sexual relations” in the law. Green-Tregaro’s demonstration led Russian pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva to speak out in favor of the law, calling Green-Tregaro disrespectful, which then prompted American runner Nick Symmonds to decry Isinbayeva’s comments as out of touch.

Green-Tregaro repainted her nails within days, back to a more traditional red —because the Swedish team was informed that the high jumper was violating IAAF rules.