Russia tops medal table at World Athletics Championships
The 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow saw a full stadium during its eighth and final day, pushing away disagreements concerning Russia’s “gay propaganda law.” Russia topped the medal table with seven gold, four silver, and six bronze medals.
The international sporting event was held at Luzhniki Stadium from August 10-18. Nearly 2,000 track and field athletes from 206 countries gathered for the competition.
The US came in second place at the event, receiving six gold, 13 silver, and six bronze medals. Jamaica placed third, with its athletes earning six gold, two silver, and one bronze.
The president of the International Association of Athletics
Federations (IAAF), Lamine Diack, thanked Moscow for hosting the
championships, officially closing the event on Sunday.
On the last day of the event, Usain Bolt – the Jamaican sprinter
widely regarded as the fastest person ever - followed up on wins
in the 100- and 200-meter races, winning a gold medal in the
relay. His victories earned him the title of the most successful
athlete in world championship history.
Two-time Olympic champion Elena Isinbaeva, who holds 28 records
for women’s pole vaulting, capped her glittering career with
success on Tuesday. She accepted the gold medal as cries of
"Elena! Elena!” echoed around the stadium. This may be the
Russian's last major championship final, as the 31-year-old
athlete has said she wants to take a break to start a family.
The competition was held amid controversy brought about by a
recently adopted Russian law which bans the propaganda of
homosexuality to minors.
The law sparked concern from the international LGBT community,
which has called for pressure to be applied to the Russian
government. Some political and public figures have urged for a
boycott of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, fearing the law could be
used against participants. (link)
At least two women athletes competing in the Moscow championships
painted their fingernails the colors of the LGBT rainbow flag, in
an attempt to showcase their support for gay rights. However,
Swedish high jumper Emma Green Tregaro was forced to repaint her
nails after being told by the IAAF that her actions were in
violation of the code of conduct at the world championships.
General secretary of the Swedish athletics federation, Anders
Albertsson, agreed with the IAAF’s stance on the issue.
“The code of conduct clearly states the rules do not allow any
commercial or political statements during the competition,”
Albertsson said, as quoted by AFP.
Russian pole vault gold medallist Isinbaeva caused a stir in the
media after criticizing Green Tregaro’s action. The athlete
expressed her opinion on the promotion of non-traditional sexual
orientation in public, which some considered to be anti-gay.
She later apologized, claiming she was “misunderstood.”
She added that she was opposed to any discrimination against
homosexuals.
Many of the world championship athletes will soon return to
Russia for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, which will take place in
February 2014.
