Athletes protest against Russia's homophobic law during IAAF World Championships

[I Am A Swede]

Earlier this year Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a new law, which has been seen by many as being homophobic. Calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics next year in the Russian town of Sotchi has been heard.

During the IAAF World Athletic Championships currently taking place in Moscow, a few athletes have taken a stand against this new law, and sparked an international controversy.

American Nick Symmonds, who won a silver medal in the 800m, dedicated his medal to the LGBT community, and two Swedish athletes, Emma Green-Tregaro (high-jump) and Moa Hjelmer (200m & 400m) painted their fingernails in the rainbow colours of the LGBT community.

Pole vault champion, and Russian crowd favourite, Yelena Isinbayeva, spoke out on a press conference, defended the law, and criticized the athletes who had protested. Her statement was met with heavy criticism from, among others, former Olympic champions Michael Johnson (US) and Denise Lewis (UK). Isinbayeva has since recanted her statements and claims she was misunderstood.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/23717242

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/23722954