With the opening ceremony of the 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, quickly approaching, the spotlight has been cast on the homosexual controversies and boycotts that are being planned by gay rights activists.

In an article by the United Kingdom International Business Times, it was reported that multiple gay rights groups are planning boycotts at the Olympics that were sparked after Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, made a homophobic remark.

Many of Putin’s remarks seem to issue concern regarding children, and to my understanding, Putin’s desire to ‘keep children away from the homosexual activity,’ in itself shows that he does not approve of nontraditional sexual relations.

Many have expressed anger regarding the remarks made by Putin, and now recently Billie Jean King, who one of three openly gay athletes that were to represent the United States at the Olympic games, is no longer attending with the U.S. delegation, according to an article by the New York Times.

King expressed that she could not attend the Olympics because she needed to stay with her sick mother in Arizona. Although the reason is legitimate, it poses a question as to if she is really staying behind for her mother or if all the controversial issues regarding gay rights in Sochi have caused King a change of heart?

The NY Times wrote in the article that “King would have personified a rebuke of Russia’s ban on so-called gay propaganda,” which I ultimately agree with.

However, now that her decision has changed, and in the midst of such a controversial gay rights boycott, is King shying away from the controversy on gay athletes?

King’s decision to not accompany the U.S. on the trip to Sochi, while it may be for other reasons, can easily be interpreted as a reason to avoid conflict in Russia.

Not only the conflict of the boycotts and the nasty media attention King would receive, but also the concern for safety due to Russia’s stance on the “ban of gay propaganda.”

While I’m one for trusting people and understanding in many circumstances, it is a little suspicious that King would choose to not attend the Games, especially with all the heat that homosexual athletes are receiving.

It seems as though the Sochi Olympic Games are turning into more than just competition between athletes.