Olympic realism
2003-07-24 16:14:24.178451+00 by
Diane Reese
3 comments
In addition to protests from the Greek Orthodox Church...
North European countries have protested at what they say are plans to increase the number of brothelsin the Greek capital, Athens, during next year's Olympic Games. Gender equality ministers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania issued a joint statement expressing their "abhorrence" at an alleged request by Athens City Council to boost permits for brothels to meet demand during the Games.
I'm rather surprised to see some of those countries listed. Is prostitution legal in any of them?
(Asides: "Gender equality ministers"? And what is up with those really goofy-looking mascots, Athena and Phevos?! Their feet are too big for most sports, I think. And those oddly-shaped heads? I guess that's supposed to indicate hair.)
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comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: Olympic realism made: 2003-07-24 17:59:21.032429+00 by:
Dan Lyke
"...ministers from the Nordic and Baltic countries said the plan was
incompatible with Olympic ideals."
I know what's got to change here: Each one of those brothel owners has to talk to the Olympic representatives of the complaining countries and offer at the very least some good private schools for their kids, if not free services at the brothel in question. Because it seems fairly plain that kickbacks, payoffs and under the table deals are compatible with "Olympic ideals".
As for the mascots, ever since Atlanta ("ashamed of our heritage so we're starting our culture from scratch") got away with "Izzy", mascots pretty much don't matter. It's a shame no one tries, though.
#Comment Re: Olympic realism made: 2003-07-24 18:11:08.678848+00 by:
Shawn
[edit history]
From JV 8/1999 (no, I have no idea what JV stands for):
Prostitution is not accepted in neither Norway or Sweden, and neither of the countries discusses the possibitliy of legalization.
Here is also an examination of Sweden's law (effective 1999), from the "we should do this in New Zealand" perspective.
As far as I can determine (and aside from the quote above), sex-work seems to be legal in Norway, but word is they are looking at the Swedish law for possible adoption.
On another note, here's a brochure (PDF) about the Swedish "Gender Equality Minister", who's actual title is Deputy Prime Minister (although part of her responsibility is "gender equality policy").
#Comment Re: Olympic realism made: 2003-07-31 16:11:00.037055+00 by:
Shawn
Despite all this, the Swedish Olympic Comittee will not be restricting its atheletes from visiting brothels during the 2004 games (http://www.newindpress.com/New...030726133913&Title=World&rLink=0)