Sochi Trip Secured, U.S. Figure Skating Champion Sounds Off On Russia’s Anti-LGBT Laws

[xchrom]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/joelanderson/sochi-trip-secured-us-figure-skating-champion-sounds-off-on



With a place on the U.S. Olympic team firmly in hand, four-time U.S. figure skating national champion Jeremy Abbott staked out a stronger position on Russia’s anti-LGBT laws than in the past — telling BuzzFeed Thursday that they “are incredibly unfortunate.”

Abbott, who will compete in men’s figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia next month, said he felt more comfortable speaking out about the laws since earning a spot on the national team Sunday.

“I’ve been asked this question a lot and I tried to push it to the side a lot. I didn’t know if I was going to be on this team and I wanted to make sure my focus was on the team,” Abbott said. The laws “go strongly against my personal beliefs. It’s very upsetting to me and very unfortunate.”

A first-time Olympian in 2010, Abbott was much more measured in his comments about Russia in remarks to the Denver Post in August 2013.

[mitchtv]

1. Good for him

I pray for a' Mexico City' moment, but not at the expense of Some ones' career. Tough situation