Internet search engine Google paid tribute to the Sochi Winter Olympics in its homepage doodle on opening ceremony day on Friday — and chose the rainbow colours also used in the gay-pride flag for the sports it highlighted.
While Sochi organisers use a variety of colours for the sports at the Games, only red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple are used in the doodle featuring six of the Games’ sports.
In addition, Google cites the Olympic Charter on its home page.
“The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play,” it says.
Russia has come under criticism for its anti-gay law introduced last summer, and the issue has overshadowed the buildup to the Sochi Games which will have the first medal events on Saturday.
Google frequently uses doodles, normally to pay tribute to scientists or highlight holidays in certain countries. It has also had Olympic doodles during past Games.