Russian Athletes Kiss — or Was It 'Propaganda'?

[William769]

What could be a congratulatory kiss between two gold medalists at the world championships in Moscow set off speculation about whether it was actually a protest of Russia's antigay laws.



Two female Russian athletes kissed on the winners podium after taking gold in the World Track and Field Championships being held in Moscow. Now Russian officials will have to decide, was it "gay propaganda," or mere sportsmanship?

Social media and news reports immediately speculated about why Kseniya Ryzhova or Tatyana Firova kissed. Photos show the two kissing and hugging on the track after winning the women's 4x400 relay, but they grabbed attention when kissing from the winners podium. Neither athlete has commented publicly. But the intense scrutiny that Russia is under about its antigay laws has recast what could very well be a simple congratulations.

The world championships might be a preview of the confusion to come if the Olympics go ahead as planned in Sochi, Russia next year.

Swedish high jumper Emma Green-Tregaro at first competed while wearing rainbow-color nail polish and she made clear that it was intended to subtly protest Russia's antigay laws. Green-Tregaro was later told the colors violated her team's code of conduct and in her final appearance on the field, the fingernails were painted a simple red.

http://www.advocate.com/sports/2013/08/18/russian-athletes-kiss-or-was-it-propaganda





And to my alert stalker

[SummerSnow]

1. oh oh...they might be in jail now or interrogated