Olympic Committee Adds Sexual Orientation to Non-discrimination Policy

But doesn't think it's appropriate to advocate for changes in Russia's laws

The United States Olympic Committee has add a ban on sexual orientation discrimination to its code of conduct, the head of the USOC announced Friday.

At the USOC assembly on Friday, USOC chief executive officer Scott Blackmun said, "[Y]esterday, our board voted to amend the USOC's code of conduct to include specific mention of sexual orientation in our own non-discrimination policy."

Regarding Russia's anti-LGBT propaganda law, Blackmun noted his support for athletes who have spoken out in opposition to it, including Nick Symmonds and Bode Miller. He said the USOC is "actively seeking more clarity from the IOC on what will and will not be regarded as violations of Rule 50 in the Games environment." Rule 50 bans "demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" from "any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."