日韩精品久久一区二区三区_亚洲色图p_亚洲综合在线最大成人_国产中出在线观看_日韩免费_亚洲综合在线一区

中文USEUROPEAFRICAASIA

US delegation to Sochi games includes gay athletes

( Agencies ) Updated: 2013-12-19 09:58:17

US delegation to Sochi games includes gay athletes

A combination photo shows former tennis player Billie Jean King (L) posing for a portrait in Beverly Hills, California August 6, 2013 and United States women's hockey team player Caitlin Cahow at practice before the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, February 8, 2006.??[Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - The United States has named former tennis star Billie Jean King, one of the first prominent athletes to publicly acknowledge her homosexuality, to be in the US delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, where Russia's anti-gay policies have stirred controversy.

Another openly gay athlete, two-time Olympic hockey player Caitlin Cahow, will represent the United States at closing ceremonies, according to a White House statement.

Although Russia has thrown itself into staging the games, preparations have been overshadowed by international criticism of its human rights record and a recent anti-gay propaganda law that critics say discriminates against homosexuals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said several times that gay athletes are welcome in Russia and that no discrimination will be tolerated. He has said the law is needed to protect young people.

The legislation, however, has drawn calls by human rights activists to boycott the Olympics. German President Joachim Gauck has announced he will not attend the Olympics even though he went to the 2012 London Olympic games, but he declined to comment on the reason for his decision.

Likewise, France has said that neither President Francois Hollande nor any top French official would attend the Sochi games, also without offering an explanation.

President Barack Obama, speaking about the Russian law in a television interview in August, said he had "no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them."

The US delegation is also led by a lower-ranking official than has been the case for recent Olympic games. Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, who is now chancellor of the University of California system, will lead the US group, the White House said in a statement.

In contrast, first lady Michelle Obama headed the US delegation to the 2012 London games and Vice President Joe Biden performed that role for the 2010 winter games in Vancouver.

The White House said the president's schedule did not allow him to travel to Sochi, and declined to say whether it was sending any message through its selection of the delegation.

"The US delegation to the Olympic Games represents the diversity that is the United States," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. "All our delegation members are distinguished by their accomplishments in government service, civic activism and sports."

The US delegation to the opening ceremony also includes Olympic figure skating gold medalist Brian Boitano, presidential aide Rob Nabors, and U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.

Cahow, the hockey player, was on teams that won silver medals in Vancouver and bronze medals in the 2006 winter Olympics held in Turin, Italy.

The United States has also been unhappy with Russia's decision to grant temporary asylum to Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who has leaked classified documents revealing the extent of U.S. surveillance of phone and email traffic around the world.

 

Most Popular
Special
...
...
主站蜘蛛池模板: 久久亚洲国产午夜精品理论片 | 国产一区二区三区免费 | 亚洲一区日韩 | 婷婷色综合久久 | 成片在线看一区二区草莓 | 久久精品视频一区二区 | 精品欧美在线观看 | 二区三区视频 | 一区二区三区在线播放 | 久草网站| 欧美一级精品片在线看 | 日韩一级视频 | 人人亚洲 | 三级网址日本 | 国产乱子伦一区二区三区 | 婷婷六月在线 | 五月伊人网 | 亚洲精品国产不卡在线观看 | 免费精品美女久久久久久久久久 | 国产日韩在线视频 | 玖玖啪| 日本一区二区三区四区 | 免费中文字幕 | 一级黄片毛片免费看 | 国产美女久久 | 一级高清视频www | 日韩一区二区三区在线看 | 亚洲免费黄色 | 大看蕉a在线观看 | 久热综合| 天天操夜夜夜 | 精品国产理论在线观看不卡 | 亚洲自拍偷拍色图 | 99久久精品免费看国产一区二区 | 日韩综合一区 | 亚洲一区黄色 | 色婷婷色综合缴情在线 | 看亚洲a级一级毛片 | 奇米第七色 | 亚洲国产一区二区三区四区色欲 | 色狠狠成人综合色 |