Pole vaulting world record holder Elena Isinbaeva criticized a fellow-athlete for protesting against a law banning gay “propaganda” that has sparked calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympic Games next year in Russia.
“If we will allow to promote and do all this stuff on the streets, we are very afraid for our nation,” Isinbaeva, a supporter of President Vladimir Putin, said speaking in English today, state news service RIA Novosti reported. “We consider ourselves as a traditional people when men live with women. I hope this problem won’t affect the Sochi Games.”
Swedish athlete Emma Green Tregaro competed today in Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium at the World Championships with her fingernails painted in rainbow colors in a sign of protest, RIA said. more
