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IOC Chief Speaks Against Boycott Of Sochi Games


International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach
International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach
International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach has spoken against calls for boycotting the Winter Games in Sochi next year to protest Russia's antigay legislation.

"Boycotts are a fundamental contradiction to the spirit of sport, depriving it of the means to continue working for peace, mutual understanding, and solidarity," he said on November 6.

Bach was speaking at a UN General Assembly session where representatives passed a symbolic resolution backing the traditional Olympic Truce during the Winter Olympics and Paralympic games in Sochi.

Russia's recent law prohibiting promotion of "nontraditional" sexual relations has been denounced by gay activists, some of whom have called for a boycott of the games in Russia's Black Sea coast city.


Based on reporting by AFP, ITAR-TASS, Interfax, and AP

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