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Champion figure skater Ashley Wagner speaks out against Russia’s anti-gay law

Champion figure skater Ashley Wagner speaks out against Russia’s anti-gay law

PARK CITY, Utah — Unlike many American Olympic hopefuls, figure skater Ashley Wagner has no problem expressing her feelings about Russia’s new anti-gay law.

Ashley Wagner
Rick Bowmer, APAmerican figure skater Ashley Wagner speaks during a press conference at the USOC 2013 team USA media summit Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, in Park City, Utah.

The U.S. champion has gay family members and friends. She wants to talk about her dislike of the law because “it hits so close to home for me.”

Wagner is among the minority this week at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s media summit, where more than 100 athletes are gathering for interviews.

The USOC says it disagrees with the law but a boycott is out of the question.

That’s fine with gold-medal bobsledder Steve Holcomb.

He figures that would be playing into the hands of the Russians, who would be happy to see their main competition cleared out of the way.

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