15 Olympians Speak Out in Support of Equality at the Olympics

In an effort to support Olympians, fans, and Russians who want to speak out for equality, Athlete Ally and All Out are launching the Principle 6 campaign today.

Principle 6 says, "Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement." The first step in this campaign is a letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach from 16 Olympians [https://www.athleteally.org/action/defend-principle-6/] telling Bach that it is time for the IOC to speak boldly and proactively about this human rights issue. Signatories include Sochi bound Mike Janyk (Skiing) as well as Andy Roddick (Tennis), Steve Nash (Basketball) and Megan Rapinoe (Soccer).

"Principle 6 is a way for Olympians and fans to stand up for equality and protest the heinous Russian laws. Through Principle 6 we can mobilize and inspire mass support for the ideals set forth in the Olympic Charter. Even if the International Olympic Committee won't act, people around the world will," Andre Banks Executive Director and Co-Founder of All Out said.

The launch of Principle 6 comes on the heels of the IOC's latest response to clarification of its charter. On Monday, President Thomas Bach responded to more than 70,000 All Out members who asked the IOC to clarify whether the Olympic Charter includes lesbian, gay, bi and trans people under Principle 6.

President Bach sent the following letter to All Out's Executive Director and Co-Founder Andre Banks. [https://www.scribd.com/doc/174203622/IOC-President-Responds-to-Allout]

This latest IOC statement does not provide any actionable steps for upholding Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter or articulates whether people can be who they are at the Sochi Games. In this void, Olympic athletes are stepping forward and asking President Bach to do more.

"Helping to craft this petition to IOC President Bach is an important part of my work as an Ambassador for Athlete Ally and very much in step with being an Olympian," said Cameron Myler, a four time Olympian who carried the US flag in in the 1994 Lillehammer Games. "Standing by idly while the values of the Olympic movement are in question is not an option for me and many others."

"The Principle 6 campaign will take many forms because it is reflective of the diversity that the Olympic Charter has charged itself with upholding, " said Hudson Taylor, Executive Director of Athlete Ally. "We are launching the Principle 6 campaign with Olympic athletes because their action affirms the duty and honor of Olympic Movement. They are leaders, and just like they do in their fields of play, Olympians always seem to find new ways to inspire us."

"With the eyes of the world on Russia during the Olympics, it's critical that athletes and fans show support for LGBT Russians who are subjected to cruel anti-gay laws violating human rights. Defending Principle 6 affords all of us a way to demonstrate this support, and our outrage at the Putin-led government, within the very spirit of the Olympic movement. We can't afford to lose this opportunity to push for change," said Brian Ellner, a leading LGBT activist and member of the Athlete Ally Board of Directors.

"With billions on the table, the IOC and Olympic sponsors are uniquely positioned to influence the Russian government and President Putin. "With billions on the table, the IOC and Olympic sponsors are uniquely positioned to influence the Russian government and President Putin, that is why Olympians speaking out in support of Principle 6 is so important," Andre Banks said.

More information on how Principle 6 will manifest in social media and on the ground in Russia will become available as the 2014 Olympic Games approach.