HAVE THE OLYMPICS “ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE GAY?”

A Canadian rights group has used a humorous video to highlight concerns over gay equality in Russia ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics.

The Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion (CIDI), an equality rights organisation, released its public service announcement (PSA) days before the event’s opening ceremony on Friday.

The ad features two athletes on a luge track performing the customary luge starting movement. The men thrust back and forth before heading down the track. The Human League’s 80s hit song Don’t You Want Me plays throughout.

The video finishes with the line “The games have always been a little gay, let’s fight to keep them that way.”

“The discrimination in Russia is unacceptable,” commented Michael Bach, Founder and CEO of the CIDI, “As an organisation, we want to show our support, especially for the athletes competing at the Olympics in Sochi.”

There are concerns for LGBT athletes and spectators at the Games who may express their sexuality or speak out against Russia’s oppressive gay propaganda law. The legislation has been widely condemned around the world and has even led to calls to boycott the Olympics and its sponsors.

Watch the ad below.