Observations on Sochi 2.9

Andy Wong, Associated Press

I haven't written in some time but I'm not going to get into that. I'll just say I've been busy with other things and leave it at that for now. It isn't surprising that a combination of two of my loves, sports and photography, snapped me out of that non-posting funk.


What I want to share is quite possibly the coolest thing ever. With the start of the Olympics in Sochi The New York Times launched what they call The Firehouse. It's a real time live stream that streams still photos instead of video. The stream includes photos from the Times along with the Associated Press, Reuters, Getty Images, Agence France Presse, and the European Pressphoto Agency. The name derives from the fact that the photos can stream by quickly and they have no caption or description other than the photographer's name and agency.

I have no idea if it's a one event trial or if the Times will use it for other things. Either way it's pretty damn awesome.

Observations 11.4

The Winter Olympics in Sochi begin in 94 Days.

"Russia’s law makes it unclear whether public displays of affection, coming out on television by mentioning an athlete’s loved one, or even hugging your partner after winning the gold medal could result in fines or deportation. Putin would like us to think gays and lesbians are welcome during the Olympics, but no one will feel safe and welcome while this law is in place," Andre Banks co-founder of All Out.

What if living your dream meant living a lie?

link
AllOutorg
Published on Nov 4, 2013

Russia is in the midst of a violent crackdown against lesbian, gay, bi and trans people - fueled by laws that make it a crime to be open about who you are and who you love. The Olympic games are our best chance to end to Russia's outrageous anti-gay laws -- but to do it, it's going to take lots more of us to hear about what's happening in Russia. Watch this beautiful 2-minute video, and please share it with your family and friends.

La Russie est en proie à une répression violente contre les personnes lesbiennes, gays, bi et trans -- alimentée par des lois anti-gays qui rendent illégal le simple fait de parler en public de son identité. Les Jeux olympiques sont notre meilleur espoir de mettre fin à ces lois anti-gays -- mais pour réussir, nous devons être beaucoup plus nombreux à parler de ce qui se passe en Russie. Découvrez cette magnifique vidéo de deux minutes et partagez-la avec votre famille et vos amis.

Dear Mr. Putin

Last Saturday, after winning the 4 x 400 meter relay at the World Athletics Championship in Moscow, Russian sprinter Ksenia Ryzhova kissed Yulia Guschina on the podium, on the lips. Maybe they meant the kiss to be a protest, maybe they didn't, in fact both sprinters are married to men though I don't know what that proves.

Under Russia's anti-gay law anyone who distributes information with the intention of persuading minors that nontraditional sexual relationships are attractive or interesting, or are even the social equivalent of traditional relationships, can be arrested and accused of breaking the law.

Granted I'm far from a minor but as a strictly impersonal observer, try to cut me some slack on the impersonal part, I have to say this looks very attractive and interesting to me. No matter what their intent this certainly looks like, and under Russian law should be considered, gay propaganda.

See you in Sochi Mr. Putin.

Grigory Dukor/Reuters