US Olympic figure skater condemns anti-gay law, but praises ‘rainbow colourful’ venue of Sochi Games

Feb 05 2014
Written by Aaron Day

US Olympic figure skater Ashley Wagner has praised the “colourful venue” of the Sochi Winter Games, suggesting that it reminds her of the rainbow-coloured pride flag.

Ms Wagner, who has been an outspoken critic of Russia’s notorious anti-gay “propaganda” legislation, said on Wednesday that she promises to keep speaking out at the Sochi Games starting this week.

“It doesn’t really matter where I am, it’s still my opinion,” she said.

Laughing, she added: “It’s a very colorful venue, though. I think it’s funny. It’s very rainbow colorful. I love it, I really do.”

Ms Wagner is a two-time US champion. She is expected to skate her short program in the team competition on Saturday.

President Vladimir Putin signed the controversial law in June banning the promotion of “non-traditional relationships” toward minors, a move that has been criticised as part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community.

Last month, gay New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup blasted the Olympic hosts for refusing to “embody diversity.”