Stonewall insists Qatar should not be awarded Olympic Games
“No country which abuses the human rights of its people in this way should be awarded with the honour of hosting a major sporting tournament.”
LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall has insisted Qatar should not host the Olympics with the country reportedly ready to bid to deliver the Games in 2036.
Many sports fans encountered problems in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are criminalised, during the World Cup with rainbow flags and items of clothing banned from stadia.
In a further blow to LGBTQ+ rights, at the start of the World Cup FIFA threatened England, Wales and other football nations with sanctions if they wore the OneLove armband in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Liz Ward, director of programmes at Stonewall, said: “Sport has the unique power to bring people together as we cheer on our favourite teams and athletes.
“Everyone, including LGBTQ+ people, deserves to feel welcome and included at all major sporting events.
“LGBTQ+ people are criminalised in Qatar just for being themselves and no country which abuses the human rights of its people in this way should be awarded with the honour of hosting a major sporting tournament.”
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