So, World Masters Championships for 2015 are now scheduled to be held in Kazan, Russia. I, for one, am appalled at yet another event being held in a country with legislated homophobia. Isn't it bad enough that the IOC has allowed this travesty?
In my opinion, USMS needs to take a stand about this and ensure that ALL USMS members can attend events safely, with their families, and without fear of persecution or prosecution. Russia is not a safe place for our LGBT members and allies to do so.
Thoughts?
Despite supporting equal rights for all I have never understood why sporting events should become the platform upon which political and social injustice are protested. I hate the injustice being demonstrated by the Russian government but why should athletes boycott a sporting event like the world masters championship? In my opinion boycotting the Olympics in 1980 had no affect, and boycotting the masters worlds will have no affect either. The only people who directly are affected by boycotts are the athletes who miss out on the opportunity to compete. I support the cause but not the solution you are proposing.
Despite supporting equal rights for all I have never understood why sporting events should become the platform upon which political and social injustice are protested. I hate the injustice being demonstrated by the Russian government but why should athletes boycott a sporting event like the world masters championship? In my opinion boycotting the Olympics in 1980 had no affect, and boycotting the masters worlds will have no affect either. The only people who directly are affected by boycotts are the athletes who miss out on the opportunity to compete. I support the cause but not the solution you are proposing.
