He might not know it yet, but Ryan Kesler is on the spot.
In June, Russia's parliament passed a law banning "gay propaganda," and some activists suggested boycotting the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics in response. But that idea hasn't caught on, with those making the case against it arguing that pro-LGBT athletes and fans would have more influence by participating in the Games while using them as an opportunity to speak out against the Russian laws.
Via: Sasha Mordovets / Getty Images
Meanwhile, just last week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced his decision to allow the league's players to participate in the upcoming Olympics. This means many of the most famous athletes in Sochi will be hockey players. And that's noteworthy because the NHL and the NHL players' union are the professional athletic organizations most closely affiliated with You Can Play, an advocacy group dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in sports.
