Skip to main content

Home News News World

Gay athlete wins silver medal at Sochi

By Josh Haggis

Sochi-2014

Gay athlete Daniela Iraschko-Stolz has won a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The 30-year-old Austrian came second in the first ever women’s ski-jumping competition.

Speaking about her silver-medal victory, the athlete said: “When you are in the media, many people maybe knew my name and also knew that I am married with a woman.

“And now the Olympic Games are here in Russia and they will end here in Russia. I hope for the future that the people now can see the sport as a chance to change something. That would be nice. Because everyone looks at Russia and its laws, and I think it’s a good idea to change something.”

Last week, Iraschko-Stolz caused controversy when she suggested Russia’s gay rights issues have been exaggerated ahead of the games by the media.

When asked about the negative reaction caused by her comments, the silver medallist said: “I would never say that. I fight a lot in my life, for my sport and for my love.”

> Blondie’s Debbie Harry refuses Sochi gig over gay rights

> Gay Sochi athlete: ‘Everything blown up bigger than it is’