NBC: No plans to discuss Russian anti-LGBT laws during Olympic coverage

The head of NBC Sports has responded to calls for the TV network to put a spotlight on Russia’s draconian new anti-gay laws in its coverage of the upcoming Winter Olympics, saying there would be reporting of the issue but only if it should emerge as a problem during the games.

Mark Lazarus, chairman of the NBC Sports division, told an audience at the Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills that the issue of Russia’s clampdown on gay men and lesbians had already been dealt with by the International Olympic Committee. “The IOC has addressed it with the Russian government and has assured athletes, fans and media that there won’t be any issues,” he said, adding that should the new laws impacted any part of the Winter Olympics “we will make sure we are acknowledging it and recognising it”.

Yeah, lets ignore the oppression and torture so we can smile and talk about skiing.