Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: DailyTelegraph
OLYMPIAN Matthew Mitcham says new Russian laws, which would see athletes at next year's Sochi Winter Olympics jailed if they are involved in any type of gay pride activities, are "horrific".
The Russian government has warned those who wear a rainbow pin or T-shirt or wave the gay pride flag face jail terms under laws signed off by President Vladimir Putin in June. Even gay couples holding hands is illegal.
The gold medal-winning diver from the 2008 Beijing Games said the laws were in violation of basic human rights.
"It's really sad," Mitcham said.
"The way they are persecuting people in Russia is quite horrific."
Mitcham said Russia's stance would hinder performances and take away the joy of the Games experience.
"The Olympics is the best experience you will ever have as an athlete," he said.
"Their whole memory and experience is going to be marred by this stuff. They are going to be made to feel unacceptable, inappropriate, and it is a really awful, awful feeling.
"The Olympics are supposed to be somewhere where they can go to be relieved of that feeling.
"A place where you can compete and feel that gender and sexuality is not an issue."
The International Olympic Committee said it had "received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games".
But Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly L. Mutko said Olympic athletes travelling to Russia would be expected to obey the new law.
Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said they supported the IOC's statement but would encourage their athletes to respect Russian law.
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