If any athletes are going to make headlines for speaking out against Putin’s anti-LGBT legislation, these are the Olympians you should be watching.
Australian Snowboarder, Belle Brockhoff
The 20-year-old Aussie came out of the closet in August as a display of solidarity with gay and lesbian athletes. After qualifying to compete in snowboard cross, she has made her feelings toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country’s anti-gay laws very clear, promising to "rip on his ass" during interviews. "I'm not happy and there's a bunch of other Olympians who are not happy either," she said.
During the games she also plans on making small displays of support. "The most I'll do is hold up six fingers to represent Principle Six. Possibly I'll do it on camera here or there, and maybe after the heats of my event." The Principle Six campaign, named after the clause in the Olympic charter that guarantees non-discrimination, was formed by two nonprofits: Athlete Ally and All Out. Brockhoff and the other athletes that have joined the campaign are pushing Russia to repeal its controversial anti-LGBT legislation.
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