Obama: Olympics will show US belief in equality

Britain’s Tom Daley. AFP FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON—US President Barack Obama says the world will see the U.S. commitment to universal dignity when the U.S. takes home gold medals on the Olympic Games.

In his State of the Union address, Obama says the U.S. believes in the equality of every human regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. He says no other country does what the U.S. does. He says the world turns to the U.S. because of the ideals the U.S. stands for and the burdens it bears to advance them.

The issue of equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people has become a prominent issue ahead of the Olympic Games in Sochi because of Russia’s new laws banning gay “propaganda” to children. Obama’s delegation to the Olympic ceremonies includes prominent gay athletes.