Johnny Weir ‘Not Afraid’ Of Being Arrested At Olympics

Figure skater Johnny Weir is in the unenviable position of being openly gay at the 2014 Sochi Olympics — but Weir is bravely unafraid of whatever issues that might result.

As The Inquisitr reported earlier, Johnny Weir is among several gay athletes headed to Russia for the Winter Games. But newer laws in Russia criminalizing open homosexuality have been widely interpreted as legally murky for athletes who are participating in the games. (Or even journalists who inadvertently or deliberately incite an openly gay remark during press meetings.)

President Obama has thrown his support behind gay athletes in Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics — but it doesn’t mean one or more of our athletes or openly gay athletes from other countries won’t fall afoul of the laws.

And while Johnny Weir is gay, he isn’t afraid of arrest — at least, no more than anyone fears arrest in normal circumstances.

According to the blog Towleroad, Weir addressed the anti-gay Olympics situation while speaking to CBS News. And despite his concern, Weir says he’s committed to competing and competing well — he says:

“Would the Olympics be in Saudi Arabia, in Palestine, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Mars, I would go because that’s what I’m trained to do and that’s what I’ve devoted my life to.”

The blog notes that Russia’s anti-gay laws are “strict but vague,” leaving the possibility of arrest for a number of out and proud Olympians. Weir isn’t even too concerned if it comes down to that, and he adds:

“Like anyone I’m afraid of being arrested but also I’m not afraid of being arrested… If it takes me getting arrested for people to pay attention and for people to lobby against this law then I’m willing to take it.”

While Johnny Weir isn’t the only gay Olympic athlete concerned, Russian officials suggest gay athletes will not be specifically targeted as long as “children” are not exposed to “propaganda.”