Olympics

Two days ago, I criticized American middle distance runner Nick Symmonds for saying he was a gay ally, yet would remain silent about Russia's anti-gay laws while competing at the World Track and Field Championships in Moscow. But after taking the silver medal in the men's 800 meters, Symmonds was not silent, telling Russia's R-Sport […]

'Gay' makes its debut on the Russian sports stage after the passing of the country's anti-gay law

Reports are flooding in hourly from around the world about the latest developments regarding Russia's anti-gay law and the Winter Olympics

President Obama today addressed the Winter Olympics in Russia in connection with the new laws that criminalize homosexual "propaganda." "I do not think it's appropriate to boycott the Olympics. We've got a bunch of Americans who are training hard, who are doing everything they can to succeed," Obama said at a White House news conference […]

The word "Gay" will be front-and-center at the triple jump competition in Moscow on Mabel Gay's uniform. What will Russia do with that?

Journalists are concerned about the coverage NBC will give to the Olympics and anti-gay laws in host Russia

Will the Russian government or the IOC take action against LGBT athletes and fans in Sochi?

"I think they understand that for most of the countries that participate in the Olympics, we wouldn't tolerate gays and lesbians being treated differently."

Goldstein will tend goal for Israel against the Iroquois Nationals in Syracuse, Sept. 29

A boycott is ineffective and targets the wrong people. A ban of Russia from its own Games would have a powerful effect.

Names like Johnny Weir, Blake Skjellerup and Matthew Mitcham line up to oppose a boycott. Longtime activist David Mixner weighs in. Plus, the IOC thought "that's so gay" was OK.

With the third world Outgames underway in Antwerp, Belgium, the city will be the site of a kiss-in on Friday at 6 p.m. to protest the passing of anti-gay laws in Russia. The Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia, in February. The announcement of what is being called "To Russia With Love, to […]

A letter urging U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry to ensure the safety of LGBT athletes and fans attending the 2014 Winter OIympics in Sochi, Russia, has been signed by 83 members of Congress. The letter came in response to draconian anti-gay laws that took effect in Russia. Here is the text of the […]

While opposed to a boycott of the Sochi Winter Olympics, two Canadian Olympians marched before an estimated 650,000 people at Vancouver's pride parade Sunday to show their solidarity with LGBT athletes and opposing new anti-gay laws in Russia. Alpine skiier Mike Janyk and snowboarder Mercedes Nicoll, both of whom competed in 2006 and 2010 and […]

Last week, the International Olympic Committee said that gay athletes and fans attending the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi would not be subject to the new anti-gay laws passed in Russia. Not so fast. Today, Russia's sports minister said than anyone "propagandizing" for homosexuality during the Games would be subject to the law. "No one […]

This week we focus on some great shots from the world swimming, diving and water polo championships in Barcelona, Spain. Included are shots of Tom Daley, Nathan Adrian, James Magnussen and the French 4×100-relay gold team. More from Outsports:

NBC Sports' Mark Lazarus seems willing to wait for an incident before discussing the oppressive laws

Gay athletes and fans attending the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, won't be targeted under new laws that criminalize homosexuality, the International Olympic Committee said today. From the Russian website R-Sport: "As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination […]

The speed skater explains why a boycott is a terrible idea and why there is virtually no chance of the Russian government harassing him.

An eclectic roundup from the media on gays in sports, highlighted by an L.A. Times piece looking at how Britney Griner has risen above being bullied and loneliness. Plus, Chris Kluwe has porn star groupies and speedskater Blake Skjellerup is a fan of One Direction. WNBA's Brittney Griner has learned to rise above it all […]