First of all, they are hard to contact. The only way I've found is by snail mail. If anyone else wants to write to them, here it is:
International Olympic Committee
Chateau de Vidy
Case Postale 356
1001 Lausanne
Switzerland
The letter quotes from the Olympic Charter, which you can find here (pdf)
Letter is below the fold.
To the International Olympic Committee:
Due to threats of arrest and the real possibility of violence against gay and lesbian athletes, the 2014 Olympics cannot be held in Russia. The games must be moved. In addition to endangering athletes and their families, holding the games there would violate the Olympic charter.
Specifically, the Charter says on page 10,
“The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of
practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit.”
Some Olympians, after competing, will be embraced by their spouse without incident. Others will be arrested for that embrace, or be forced to pretend they have no spouse.
page 11:
“Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race,
religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic
Movement…. Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter
and recognition by the IOC.”
The government of Russia has, through its threats and its actions, failed to comply with the Charter and placed itself outside of the Olympic movement. However, Russian athletes do not deserve punishment for their government’s behavior and should be allowed to compete if the games are held elsewhere.
page 14 (Mission and role of the IOC):
“to cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavour to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace;…. to take action to strengthen the unity of the Olympic Movement, to protect its independence and to preserve the autonomy of sport;… to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement;… to encourage and support measures protecting the health of athletes”
This section outlines your duties, and also your authority, to promote peace, strengthen unity, act against discrimination, and protect athletes. Holding the games in a nation that openly discriminates and where hate-fueled violence is condoned would constitute a failure to fulfill your mission.
Can the games be moved in six months, after seven years of preparation in Sochi? Yes, if it matters enough. Vancouver, Lillehammer, Salt Lake City and other past venues have Olympic class facilities that could be made ready fairly quickly. If this charter actually means anything, it must be done.
Signed,
(me)