Nick Symmonds, a middle distance runner from the US, won the Silver Medal in the 800-meter at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championship in Moscow yesterday and then made headlines when, while speaking to RIANovosti—one of the largest news agencies in Russia—and said:
"As much as I can speak out about it, I believe that all humans deserve equality as however God made them. Whether you're gay, straight, black, white, we all deserve the same rights. If there's anything I can do to champion the cause and further it, I will, shy of getting arrested."
He then dedicated his medal to his LGBT friends.
Just saying that could have gotten Symonds tossed out of the country, or even arrested, which may explain why he added:
"I respect Russians' ability to govern their people. I disagree with their laws. I do have respect for this nation. I disagree with their rules."
Nevertheless, Nick Symmonds is the first athlete to criticize Vladimir Putin and Russia’s virulently anti-LGBT laws while standing in that country.
And i think he deserves a Gold Medal just for that.
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