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?
I I agree, Kazan is not the place for WOrld Masters. I'm in no position ($)to travel internationally (I'll barely make it to Montreal this summer) so it's no great sacrifice for me to say I won't be going to Kazan, but even if I could afford it, I wouldn't want to go to a place where my brothers and sisters didn't feel safe. No way.
The comparison to the 1980 Olympics doesn't really hold since no one is telling USMS swimmers they can't go - I'm just hoping that not many do.
I I agree, Kazan is not the place for WOrld Masters. I'm in no position ($)to travel internationally (I'll barely make it to Montreal this summer) so it's no great sacrifice for me to say I won't be going to Kazan, but even if I could afford it, I wouldn't want to go to a place where my brothers and sisters didn't feel safe. No way.
The comparison to the 1980 Olympics doesn't really hold since no one is telling USMS swimmers they can't go - I'm just hoping that not many do.
