This was published 12 years ago
Gay Aussie athlete on Sochi mission
Australian Winter Olympian and lesbian Belle Brockhoff is determined to send a message to Russian president Vladimir Putin about his controversial anti-gay propaganda laws.
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Brockhoff will be competing in the snowboard cross event at Sochi and realises winning a medal will be the best platform.
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Brockhoff (far left) has placed third in a World Cup event, so a place on the dias isn't completely out of the question.
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The outspoken 21-year-old is actively involved with Athlete Ally, a non-profit organisation that raises awareness about homophobia in sports.
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She hopes her stand will prompt changes to what many see as a fundamental breach of human rights.
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"Hopefully, if I get a medal I will be able to use that platform to point these things out and hopefully get a change but you know if I don't get a medal not many people will want to listen to my opinion."
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Athlete Ally is pushing the Principle 6 campaign and range of merchandise that outlines the Olympic charter's specific principle of non-discrimination in its sports
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Brockhoff said she would concentrate on her event before thinking about making any protests, including wearing any Principle 6 clothing.
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