PCP: Don’t Protest Sochi Olympics

Before I start this one, I need to make it absolutely clear that I am in complete opposition with Russia’s laws against ‘homosexual propaganda’. Discrimination against sexual orientations is not a grey-area of morality; it is simply wrong and sickening to see anywhere in the world. Working to adjust Russia’s bigoted attitudes, however, is far less absolute matter. With the upcoming 2014 Olympics in Sochi, many people are eager to protest and boycott the event to make a statement about the unjust law. While I commend the attitude and desire for change, it must be made clear that such actions would lead to less favourable outcomes than some might expect.
For many, the Olympics represent the highest and greatest moments of sporting and human capabilities, and so quite understandably, they are held to the greatest standards of human rights. However, they are far more than that – first and foremost, they are an immensely massive force of international economy. It has already been estimated that $50 billion dollars has been invested into the Olympic host site, clearly with the expectation of profits of similar magnitudes from the events, but that is only the tip of the economic iceberg. Even the smallest of factors involved in the tourism industry – from hotels and resorts, to airlines and public transportation, construction and other services – is anticipating and preparing for a rapid volume influx. Advertising and sponsorship contracts have already been signed. News sites, broadcasting companies, and all other forms of media will have already made extensive plans for coverage of the games. The monetary backlash from a boycott could cause financial crises in every economic sector imaginable. It may be easy to see these high stakes as a way of making a ‘bigger point’ when protesting, but bankruptcy is no small matter for the lives of many.
Causing such a large disruption is also not the sort of message protesters should be trying to send. Social media alone has already made it apparent that this is a very serious issue for a large percent of people, so it is no longer a matter of raising awareness – action is the next step. Yet, protesting and seeking to actively hinder the Olympic processions is detrimental to many personal lives. For many athletes and their families, the upcoming games should be an incredible moment of pride, perhaps a generational act of legend, or historic milestone for an unacknowledged community. These people should not be the ones punished for Russia’s unacceptable opinion on homosexuality, and activists should be seeking to bring about change in the world without such consequences.
The International Olympic Committee’s recent Olympic Charter has defined many rules and goals of the Olympic Games, as well as the now opt-cited Rule 50: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Russian officials have actively asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to enforce this rule, and discourage any sort of demonstrations criticizing the Russian anti-gay legislature. From an official perspective, this is the most logical choice– not only should the IOC seek to uphold the rules it has mandated, but it also would want to avoid protests of such emotional and controversial natures, which can quickly become destructive and dangerous to property and individuals alike. While many have scorned this choice as contradicting the IOC’s Role to “act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement”, critics must remember that the IOC cannot become the forefront of activist movements, openly opposing national governments for popular opinion.
Even if it seems unjust, the Olympic Games are neither the time nor place to open up this can of particularly messy beans.