With the closing ceremony at the end of last month, the Winter Olympics has been an eventful for Great Britain as well as the world’s Gay community. The event got great coverage over a number of channels with the news continuously updating us on our medal count. The event lasted from 7th – 23rd February and here are the medal count for Great Britain and top 10 countries :
Rank: 1, Russia: Gold – 13, Silver – 11, Bronze – 9, TOTAL: 33
Rank 2, Norway: Gold – 11, Silver – 5, Bronze – 10, TOTAL: 26
Rank 3, Canada: Gold – 10, Silver – 10, Bronze – 5, TOTAL: 25
Rank 4: USA: Gold – 9, Silver – 7, Bronze – 12, TOTAL: 28
Rank 5: Netherlands: Gold – 8, Silver – 7, Bronze – 9, TOTAL: 24
Rank 6: Germany: Gold – 8, Silver – 6, Bronze – 5, TOTAL: 19
Rank 7: Switzerland: Gold – 6, Silver – 3, Bronze – 2, TOTAL: 11
Rank 8: Belarus: Gold – 5, Silver – 0, Bronze – 1, TOTAL: 6
Rank 9: Austria: Gold – 4, Silver – 8, Bronze – 5, TOTAL: 17
Rank 10: France: Gold – 4, Silver – 4, Bronze – 7, TOTAL: 15
Rank 19: Great Britain: Gold – 1, Silver – 1, Bronze – 2, TOTAL: 4
One of the main topics of conversation prior to the Olympic games was Russia’s view on Homosexuality. Russia recently banned the promotion of ‘non-traditional’ sexual orientation, which many have seen as an attack on the gay community. The ban effectively prevented gay rights protests in Russia. In response to this channel 4 released a ‘special winter anthem’ called ‘Gay Mountain.’(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6RID82Ru-k) The 90 second advert encourages everyone to ‘be proud on Gay Mountain’.
During the Olympic games Kent girl Lizzy Arnold won Gold in the women’s Skeleton race, however great disappointment as she heard she will not be getting a Gold post box for her achievement. During the Summer 2012 Olympics over 100 Post Boxes were painted gold to celebrate the home wins in London. The Royal Mail, who has recently been privatised, says that this was a ‘one off gesture’ to those that won whilst at home. Although protesting via social media sites for a golden post box in her home town of Maidstone, she has not been successful. However she has received an unofficial gold Post Box from ‘vandals’ within her local area, who appeared to have done a botch job and locals are calling for a second coat.