Overview
The 2014 Winter Olympics (XXII Olympic Winter Games) is a major international multi-sport event held in Sochi, Russia from February 7th to February 23rd, 2014. The 2014 Winter Paralympics, a similar competitive event for athletes with physical disabilities, will begin on March 7th and continue to March 16, 2014.
Background
FCKH8 Coloring Book Campaign
On October 30th, 2013, FCKH8 announced a new campaign on its official Tumblr blog[2] pledging to deliver 10,000 copies of pro-gay coloring books to Russian children via mail during the Olympics, if the post receives more than 100,000 likes. In the press release, the group explained the direct mail campaign as a way to protest against the Russian government’s enforcement of its controversial anti-gay propaganda laws, and secondly, to inform kids in Russia that being gay is okay.
Travis Gerrits’ Vine
On January 27th, 2014, Candian skier Travis Gerrits posted a Vine shot in Sochi that featured Australia skier Lydia Lassila.[4] Through forced perspective It was created to appear as if Gerrits was eating Lassila after a ski jump The Vine was reported on by The Huffington Post[5] and Yahoo Sports.[6]
Jamacian Bobsleed Team Fundrasier
On January 19th, 2014, an Indiegogo[1] page was created by members of the Jamaican Bobsled Team to fund their trip to Sochi. On the same day, a fundraiser was launched by the Dogecoin Foundation[2] for the bobsled team, which gathered $35,000 in donations in the first 24 hours.[3]
McDonald’s #CheersToSochi
On January 21st, 2014, fast food resturant chain McDonalds launches a Twitter hashtag #CheersToSochi, encouraging their followers to well wishes to the athletes competing in the Olympic games.[7] The campaign was met with a lot of criticism because of ther anti-LGBT policies and sentiment at the games.
External References
[1]Indiegogo – Help Jamaica Bobsleigh Team
[2]Motherboard – The Founders of Dogecoin See the Meme Currency’s Tipping Point
[3]Reddit – Lets send the Jamaican bobsled team to the winter Olympics
[4]Canada.com – Travis Gerrits ‘eats’ fellow freestyle skier Lydia Lassila in perfect Vine
[5]The Huffington Post – Travis Gerrits Posts First Perfect Vine Of The Olympics
[6]Yahoo Sports – Must see: Travis Gerrits is eating his freestyle skiing competitors at the Olympics
[7]The Huffington Post – McDonald’s #CheersToSochi Campaign Meets With LGBT Backlash
[8]Tumblr – Activists to Break Russian “Gay Propaganda” Law During Olympics, Send 10,000 Pro-Gay Children’s Coloring Books Featuring Gay Kiss to Russian Homes with Kids