Anti-Gay Law: Shunning Sochi Hurts Olympians, Merkel Says

Series Title	Spiegel Online International
Series Details	19.08.13
Publication Date	19/08/2013
Content Type	News
	Article reported that Russia's new 2013 anti-gay 'propaganda' law had some Western leaders considering a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014. But German Chancellor Merkel said that such a move would only harm athletes. The head of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge asked Russia to explain how its new law on gay 'propaganda' might affect the forthcoming Winter Olympics.
Source Link	Link to Main Source http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/merkel-rejects-boycott-of-sochi-olympics-over-anti-gay-law-in-russia-a-917316.html
Related Links	BBC News, 10.08.13: Sochi Olympics: Rogge asks Russia to clarify gay law http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23630868 The Economist, 22.08.13: Human rights in Russia. Grim to be gay http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21584007-plight-gays-prompts-calls-boycott-sochi-olympics-grim-be-gay ESO: Background information: Statement by the Spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on LGBTI rights in Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-statement-by-the-spokesperson-of-high-representative-catherine-ashton-on-lgbti-rights-in-russia/
Countries / Regions	Russia