Pole vaulter Isinbayeva shocks with support of Russia’s anti-gay laws

Yelena Isinbayeva

World pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva has spoken out against homosexuality amid protests over new laws in her native Russia.

It is now illegal to give under-18s information about homosexuality in Russia - leading to calls for a boycott of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

She criticised athletes who painted nails in support of gays and lesbians. "We are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves normal, standard people," said Isinbayeva.

The 31-year-old poster girl of Russian athletics - with two Olympic golds and 28 world records alongside her World Championships successes - is hugely popular in her home country.

And she expressed what she believed was her nation's position on homosexuality: "We just live with boys with women, women with boys. Everything must be fine. It comes from history. We never had these problems in Russia, and we don't want to have any in the future," added Isinbayeva, after winning her third world title on Tuesday.

Swedish high jumper Emma Green-Tregaro painted her fingernails in the colours of the rainbow flag for Thursday's qualifying competition at the World Championships in Moscow.

"I wouldn't say it was a protest - more of a statement of what I think," said the 28-year-old. "I usually do my nails in something that feels good for me and it was a simple way of showing what I think."

"She is clearly not in touch with the rest of the world. I'm surprised her management didn't advise her to be a little more cautious with throwing her views out there. This is clearly very damning for her as a global superstar"

More from Staff Reporter

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Putin's new law goes a lot further than "protecting children" (From what? Facts? And who is going to be protecting gay children from the bullies when the State is the bully? hmmm?). No-one can even say so much as "gay is good" without automatic jail terms in Russia. A gay athlete who kisses his boyfriend could be arrested. This is a witch-hunt. The law also calls for the forced taking of children away from parents who are gay. The closest anyone in Europe has come to this is Hitler in the 1930's (the first people put into the camps were gays and Roma, even before the Jews).It is a law promoting the total opposite of the Olympic ideals and the Olympic Charter, which is why people are calling for a boycott. As for "tolerance", there is no reason to tolerate legal attacks on people for just existing. Another athlete at the Russian Games (not mentioned in the article) has dedicated his medal to his gay friends. Good for him. Another straight who is not narrow (minded)! As for the Russian athlete, she can say what she wants but in Russiq today a ga

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The groups of people who preach tolerance accuse anyone who does not agree with them with political incorrectness. If they really believe in freedom, then they should respect what this athlete had to say even if she does not agree with their opinion. Thumbs up to who sticks to his beliefs in the face of political correctness.

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I don't have a problem with ones sexual orientation but on a lot of adverts and publicity we are portraying homosexuality like it is the new fashion.

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We dont all have to lie down and roll over for homosexuals.The Russians are quite entitled to protect children under 18,unlike in some countries including Britain where 4-year-olds are now given lessons on the 'joys of homosexuality'

Pole vaulter Isinbayeva shocks with support of Russia’s anti-gay laws

Yelena Isinbayeva speaks out homosexuality amid protests over new laws in her native Russia.