TORONTO — Canadian athlete Jon Montgomery said Tuesday he would support a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Sochi to protest Russia’s strict anti-gay laws.
“If we as a nation were to say we’re not going because we support gay rights and we think that this law is deplorable, I would support that,” he said in an interview that will air Wednesday on Global’s The Morning Show. “Because that’s taking a stand and making a statement.”
The 34-year-old Manitoba native, who won Gold in the skeleton event at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, said it would send a stronger message if gay and lesbian athletes went to Russia and dominated the podium.
“Go to Russia and succeed and prevail and be proud of who you are,” he suggested. “I think that sends more of a statement than not going.”
Russia is being criticized around the world for passing laws this summer banning “propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations.”
Montgomery said he stands in solidarity with gay and lesbian athletes.
“We need to do something in 2014 to make sure that the world knows that this isn’t OK,” he said, “and that we don’t stand by idly and say that this is acceptable.”
To see the full interview with Montgomery — and find out whether he’ll wave a rainbow flag in Sochi — watch The Morning Show on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. (10 a.m. Atlantic).
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