Russian pole vault star Yelena Isinbayeva launched a staunch defense of her country's new anti-gay laws after receiving her gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow Thursday.
'Normal, standard people' —
Russian pole vault star Yelena Isinbayeva launched a staunch defense of her country's new anti-gay laws after receiving her gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow Thursday.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Isinbayeva criticized Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro (pictured) and Mao Hjelmer for sporting rainbow-colored fingernails in support of the gay rights movement during their events in the Russian capital.
Rainbow rights —
Isinbayeva criticized Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro (pictured) and Mao Hjelmer for sporting rainbow-colored fingernails in support of the gay rights movement during their events in the Russian capital.
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U.S. runner Nick Symmonds, who became the first athlete at the championships to criticize the laws after winning silver in the 800 meters on Tuesday, said that Isinbayeva "was so behind the times." In an interview with the BBC, he revealed that he had been told he would've been arrested had he competed wearing a rainbow sticker.
'Behind the times' —
U.S. runner Nick Symmonds, who became the first athlete at the championships to criticize the laws after winning silver in the 800 meters on Tuesday, said that Isinbayeva "was so behind the times." In an interview with the BBC, he revealed that he had been told he would've been arrested had he competed wearing a rainbow sticker.
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Isinbayeva won her third world title, and her first since 2007, to add to her two Olympic golds. She is one of Russia's most high-profile athletes and will have a major role as an ambassador for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Russia's golden girl —
Isinbayeva won her third world title, and her first since 2007, to add to her two Olympic golds. She is one of Russia's most high-profile athletes and will have a major role as an ambassador for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
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