Tatyana Firova and Kseniya Ryzhova shared a kiss in Moscow after winning gold at the 2013 World Athletics Championships on Saturday. The event was held in Moscow, Firova and Ryzhova won gold in the 4x400-meter-relay race. Video of their kiss has gone viral. Many are wondering if it was a political statement against Russia's harsh anti-gay laws.
Clips of the awards ceremony have flooded blogs sites and YouTube. Controversy has surround the video since it went viral. Videos that do not show the full event depict Firova and Ryzhova sharing a kiss as their teammates look on. The kiss, as seen in the edited clip, violates Russia's ban on public displays of affection by same sex couples. That is not to say these two women are in a relationship, it was merely an explanation of Russia's law.
Neither athlete has made a statement about the kiss. Metro News has reported that officials in Russia have stated the kiss was nothing more than a celebratory embrace by teammates. The Russian officials may be correct. Full video of the Russian running team accepting their gold medals throws the political statement theory out of the window.
In the complete video, not the clips found on YouTube, each member of the Russian team gives the other a peck on the lips or cheek to celebrate their victory. The announcers calling the ceremony make no specific mention of any kiss. Despite the seemingly everyday gesture between the teammates, some believe the images of the kiss between Firova and Ryzhova will remain an image of protest.
Russia has been strongly criticized for their anti-gay laws. The 2014 Winter Olympics will take place in Sochi, Russia. President Vladimir Putin has stated these laws will be enforced at the games in an effort to minimize what the Russians have described as "homosexual propaganda."
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