Google
has celebrated the launch of the Sochi Winter Olympics with a special
doodle which takes a swipe at Russia's controversial laws on
homosexuality.
The doodle - in rainbow colours - features
figures taking part in some of the Winter Games' most high profile
sports, including skiing, ice hockey, bobsleigh, and ice skating.
The
rainbow flag has become a symbol of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender communities in many countries across the world.
Underneath the search box is a quote from the Olympic Charter reading: "The
practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the
possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and
in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit
of friendship, solidarity and fair play."
The Sochi Games
are being held under unprecedentedly tight security in the Russian
resort - while President Vladimir Putin has come under fire ahead of the
opening ceremony for the country's controversial laws on homosexuality.
Russia has banned the promotion of "non-traditional" sexuality - widely seen as an attack on gay rights.
Protesters have called on politicians and athletes to boycott the Sochi Games.
Russian
security services are already on high alert for radical Islamic
terrorists who have launched a campaign of suicide bombings in the area
in recent weeks.
America’s Department of Homeland Security has
even issued a warning to all US airlines with direct flights to Russia
that bombs could be hidden in toothpaste and make-up carried by
passengers.
The department did not say what had triggered the
alert but the warning is believed to have been issued based on new
information ahead of the start of the Olympics.
The very first
Goodle Doodle appeared in 1998 and featured a reference to the Burning
Man festival that Google founders Larry and Sergey were attending.
They
are now a regular feature on the search engine's homepage and
illustrate a range of special events, occasions and anniversaries.

No comments:
Post a Comment