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How Russia enforces its ban on gay ‘propaganda’
MOSCOW — When the Sochi Winter Olympics begin Friday, many will be watching to see whether Russia will enforce its law banning gay “propaganda” to minors if athletes, fans or activists wave rainbow flags or speak out in protest. The message so far has been confusing.
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Russian deputy PM on gay rights in Sochi: ‘Leave the kids alone’
SOCHI, Russia — Russia’s deputy prime minister has confirmed the Kremlin’s view on gay rights in Sochi, asking athletes to “leave the kids alone.”
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At IOC assembly, UN chief condemns attacks, discrimination against gays
SOCHI, Russia — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned attacks and discrimination against homosexuals on Thursday, touching on the gay rights issue in Russia that has overshadowed preparations for the Sochi Olympics.
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LGBT viewers guide to the Olympics: Tensions high for spectators, athletes
Tensions are high as the 2014 Winter Olympics prepares to get underway Thursday with figure skating and skiing events and then with the globally televised opening ceremony Friday. While there is a tremendous amount of anxiety over the possibility of a terrorist attack against the Games in Sochi, Russia, there is also considerable uncertainty around who might protest the country’s new anti-gay laws and how and when they might do so.
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Billie Jean King won’t attend Sochi opening due to family illness
NEW YORK — Billie Jean King will not attend Friday’s opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics in Russia because her mother is ill.
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More Olympic-linked furor over Russia’s anti-gay law ahead of Sochi games
Protesters in cities around the world targeted major Olympic sponsors Wednesday, just ahead of the Winter Games in Sochi, urging them to speak out against Russia’s law restricting gay-rights activities. Two more sponsors of the U.S. Olympic team condemned the law, but leading global sponsors did not join them.
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Norway’s Health Minister to take husband to Paralympics in Sochi
OSLO — Norway’s most high-profile openly gay politician will attend the Paralympic Games in Russia with his husband, despite the controversy surrounding Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law.
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Olympic chief slams world leaders for using Sochi games as ‘political’ platform
SOCHI, Russia — International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach accused world leaders Tuesday of using the Sochi Olympics as a political platform “on the backs of the athletes,” and of snubbing the games without even being invited.
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Putin promotes cuddly image as Sochi Olympics near
SOCHI, Russia — Vladimir Putin, rugged outdoorsman and tough-guy Russian president, promoted a cuddly image Tuesday as his Olympics drew near. Putin checked in at a preserve for endangered Persian leopards and visited a group of cubs born last summer in the mountains above the growing torrent of activity in Sochi for the Winter Games.
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UN chief to attend Sochi Olympics, give keynote address at IOC assembly
UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will take part in Friday’s opening of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia and deliver a keynote address to the International Olympic Committee’s general assembly, the first by a U.N. secretary-general, officials said Monday.