One of the final torchbearers, and three time gold medalist for Russia, Irina Rodnina tweeted a racist picture of President Obama in September of last year. Irina says the picture was not a racial act but just an expression of freedom of speech. This picture raised a lot of controversy because Irina is now a member of Russia's parliament, and this came at a time when The U.S. and Russia are having a lot of conflicts.
Do you think she was the best choice to light the Olympic torch or was this a political move on Russia's part?
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Replies
Well done!!
They probably should have chosen someone else because like Jordyn said it's about bringing country's together!
I think they could have chose a better person to light the torch. Although she's not from our country, people are watching her and obviously knew about it but since it's the olympics I think someone else could have lit it. If they have someone representing all our countries, the torch lighter probably shouldn't be bashing on one of them.
That's true it could have an affect on how many Americans watch the Olympics.
It may have been a political move by Russia. There has been a lot of controversy about the Olympics being in Russia this year.
Ya that's what had me a little skeptical about this topic.
They should have picked another person to do it. They should have thought back to what she did in September and just pick another person.
I don't think they were thinking about what she did a year ago. But they should have picked another person.
That's true nobody probably remembered the picture until she was chosen to light the torch.
This probably was not a smart choice on Irina's part but I think people these days just way overreact about things.
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