President Putin signed laws that discriminate the LGBT community. There have also been attacks by vigilante gangs against gay people, and the police has been compliant.
The sports minister has said that the law will be enforced during the games, and the IOC sided with Russia instead of protecting fans and athletes.
Under the law banning homosexual propaganda, signs of affection, like holding hands or a celebratory kiss, would be considered propaganda and fans and athletes would be subject to prosecution.
Athletes train their entire life to represent their country and for a lot of them this will be their only chance. For this reason a boycott is not the appropriate response. Instead, publicly petition the IOC to move the games somewhere where athletes and fans will be safe.
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