The Director General of the IOC, Christophe De Kepper, has written to GETA’s Executive Director, Carlos Kytka, assuring him that the IOC is working to ensure that gay people will not face discrimination at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

Responding to a letter from GETA calling on the IOC to take positive action against any form of discrimination, as committed in the Olympic Charter, Mr De Kepper said that the IOC is in discussion with the highest levels of government in Russia and has received a number of assurances.

However, the Director General ruled out creating any gay venues at the Olympics and stated that individuals taking part in any protest or demonstration would be sanctioned under the Olympic Charter rule that prohibits proactive protests or demonstrations at Olympic venues.

In response, GETA has replied that it understands but does not support the IOC’s position. "We do not believe that the current, and worsening, situation is at all welcoming to gay people" replied Carlos Kytka.  "Without any significant improvement GETA will be strongly advising gay people worldwide not to attend the Sochi Winter Olympics because their safety cannot be guaranteed". He continued "it is regrettable that the Olympic Games, which should be open to all, will exclude gay people in 2014, especially when compared with the warmth with which all people were received in London in 2012, regardless of race, sexuality or religion".

GETA has asked the IOC to ensure that in future the IOC takes into account the impact of a country’s human rights position when considering where to award the Games.  Carlos Kytka concluded "I cannot believe that in the 20th century the IOC would have awarded the Games to apartheid South Africa.  I hope that in the 21st century you do not again award them to any country that makes it impossible for you to live up to your own Olympic Charter".

The correspondence between GETA and the IOC can be seen at http://www.gaywelcome.com/gay-olympics-russia.php

GETA is also currently lobbying the European Union to stop negotiations which would allow 15,000 Russian officials to travel throughout Europe without need for a visa. "Why should Russian officials travel freely in Europe while gay people risk arrest and violence when travelling in Russia?" said Kytka.