USOC
Posted On: October 13, 2013 By :The United States Olympic Committee has amended its code of conduct to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy. The move received unanimous support from the Board of Directors at a meeting held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the USOC Olympic Assembly.
USOC Chairman Larry Probst said the discussion began after the recently adopted Russian law that prohibits “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” Concerns have been raised about the safety of any Olympic athletes that choose to speak out on the issue during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Last week, Probst, who is a newly elected member of the International Olympic Committee, said he would be in favor of similar non-discrimination policies in the Olympic charter as the one passed by the USOC Board.
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said the organization is concerned about the issue, but has been assured by the International Olympic Committee that its athletes will be safe. “We strongly believe athletes need to be free to be themselves,” he said.
Olympian Greg Louganis, who has been outspoken on LGBT issues as they relate to the Olympic Games, will address the issue during a general session at the TEAMS Conference & Expo on the morning of Wednesday, November 6, in Salt Lake City. For more information on TEAMS, which will be held November 4–7, click here.
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