Russian Female Track Athletes Kiss on Podium

Two Russian female track athletes–Kseniya Ryzhova and Tatyana Firova–shared two kisses during last year’s world championships in Moscow, acts some felt were in defiance of Russia’s anti-gay laws that have stirred its fair share of controversy before the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. 

Rzyhova and Firova were part of Russia’s 4X400 team that won the gold medal, and they kissed after winning the race and on the podium while accepting their medals. 

Russian team officials reportedly “denied the kiss was a protest at Russia’s anti-gay laws.”

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that “punishes the dissemination of information about homosexuality to minors,” which can be used to crackdown against gays and lesbians.