Martina Navratilova has teamed up with several other top LGBTI and ally athletes to stop Kazakhstan hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
The incoming law, which has overwhelmingly been approved in the Senate, is a copycat of the Russia ‘gay propaganda’ ban.
The athletes believe the Olympics should ensure the principles of non-discrimination are upheld and that Kazakhstan is banned from hosting the Games.
Other athletes who have signed for LGBTI equality in sports include diver Greg Louganis and soccer players Megan Rapinoe and Robbie Rogers.
The letter addressed to IOC President Thomas Bach is signed by 27 current and former Olympic, Paralympic and professional athletes.
‘In light of Kazakhstan’s aspirations to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and their recent consideration of legislation prohibiting "propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation," we urge the IOC to reiterate to Kazakh authorities that discrimination with regard to sexual orientation is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement,’ the athletes write, as reported by The Huffington Post.
They believe the IOC should stand by Principle 6, which was amended in December, that explicitly bans discrimination on the basis of sex and sex discrimination.
‘We were extremely proud to see the leadership of the IOC amend Principle 6 of the Olympic charter to include sexual orientation and believe these changes in principles will strengthen the Olympic movement for generations to come,’ add the athletes.
‘It is now time to call on Kazakhstan and any other country wishing to host the games, to put those principles into practice.’
The IOC has not commented on the letter.
The full letter reads:
Dear President Bach,
The Olympic movement is built upon the fundamental principles of respect and inclusion and the belief that the experiences of athletes and fans should be free from discrimination of any kind. As current and former Olympic, Paralympic and professional athletes, we believe in the fundamental principles of Olympism and that maintaining the integrity of the Olympic movement requires potential host countries to abide by these Olympic ideals.
Under your leadership, non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been enshrined in the Olympic Charter and placed in the Olympic Host City contracts. The Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms you championed are a powerful step forward for the global sports community. However, implementation will be key.
In light of Kazakhstan’s aspirations to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and their recent consideration of legislation prohibiting “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation,” we urge the IOC to reiterate to Kazakh authorities that discrimination with regard to sexual orientation is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement.
The IOC is in a unique position as the global leader in sport to communicate to the Kazakh authorities that no discriminatory legislation should be adopted or implemented.
We were extremely proud to see the leadership of the IOC amend Principle 6 of the Olympic charter to include sexual orientation and believe these changes in principles will strengthen the Olympic movement for generations to come. It is now time to call on Kazakhstan and any other country wishing to host the games, to put those principles into practice.
Together in Sport,
Greg Louganis – 4X Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Silver Medalist, Diving, United States
Martina Navratilova – 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam doubles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, Tennis, United States
Caryn Davies – 2X Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Silver Medalist, Rowing, United States
Mark Tewksbury – Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Silver Medalist, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Swimming, Canada
Esther Lofgren – Olympic Gold Medalist, Rowing, United States
Lori Lindsey – Olympic Gold Medalist, Soccer, United States
Megan Rapinoe – Olympic Gold Medalist, Soccer, United Stated
Lee Ford – ParaPan Am Gold Medalist, Archery, United States
Rennae Stubbs – Four-time Olympian, Tennis, Australia
Ji Wallace – Olympic Silver Medalist, Trampolining, Australia
Simona Meiler – Olympic Snowboarder, Switzerland
Callan Chythlook-Sifsof – Olympic Snowboarder, United States
Alex Duckworth – Olympic Snowboarder, Canada
Belle Brockhoff – Olympic Snowboarder, Australia
Carrie Sheinberg – Olympic Apline Skier, United States
Anastasia Bucsis – Olympic Speedskater, Canada
Andy Hrovat – Olympic Wrestler, United States
Jake Herbert – Olympic Wrestler, United States
TC Dantzler – Olympic Wrestler, United States
Eli Wolff – Paralympic Soccer Player, United States
Kenneth Faried – National Basketball Association, Denver Nuggets, United States
Robbie Rogers – Major League Soccer, LA Galaxy, United States
Sean Avery – National Hockey League, New York Rangers, United States
Joanna Lohman – National Women’s Soccer League, Washington Spirit, United States
Sally Shipard – Women’s National Soccer Team, Australia
Brock McClean – Australian Rules Football, Australia
Phaidra Knight – Women’s National Rugby Team, United States
Eric Mitchell – Olympic Ski Jumper, Canada