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Deadly Collision Claims 67 Lives in U.S. Air Disaster | At Least 30 Dead and Many Injured in Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in India | Cambodia's Future Leaders Celebrated as Prime Minister Hun Manet Speaks at Asia-Europe University Graduation | The National Bank of Cambodia and Central Bank of Madagascar seal a partnership to enhance bilateral economic cooperation. | Minister of Health Delivers Lecture on Leadership and Innovation on "Methods of Critical Thinking – Part 2" | BREAKING: Takeo Provincial Court President Dismissed for Premature Release of Murder Convict | BREAKING: Samdech Hun Sen Announces Absence from Senate Plenary Session After Positive COVID-19 Test |

Diversity among athletes including gay competitors welcome - Yang Yang

  • Posted Feb 15, 2022 17:18 by Anthony Ellis
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INTERNATIONAL: Beijing 2022 organisers welcome, protect and encourage diversity among athletes including any gay participants, Yang Yang, China's first-ever Winter Olympics gold medallist, said on Monday. Homosexuality is legal in China, which until 2001 had classified it as a mental disorder, although many people still prefer not to come out to their families because of stigma. "Under Chinese law, we protect the rights of all groups of people," said Yang, who heads the Beijing 2022 Athletes' Commission, a group made up of nearly 20 former and current Chinese athletes. More than 30 publicly out gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, pansexual and non-binary athletes were vying for gold at Beijing 2022, according to a list compiled by LGBT sports site Outsports.com. None of the 176 athletes that China sent to the Winter Olympics were on the list. While it is not illegal to be gay in China, activists say conservative attitudes towards homosexuality in some sections of society have led to occasional government clamp-downs. Censors sometimes block online LGBT content. "We very much protect and encourage diversity," Yang said. The retired speed skater won China's first ever Winter Olympics gold medal in the 500 metres short track at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.The Beijing 2022 Athlete's Commission is tasked with ensuring that the Games are athlete-centred, with their demands understood and opinions heard.


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