A popular Canadian ad celebrating diversity at the Olympics has hit a nerve with some American lugers.
The New York Times reports that several lugers are irritated that the ad, meant to push back on Russia's anti-gay stance, pokes fun at luging.
The Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion released the ad last week. The video shows two luge sledders rocking back and forth as they gear up to sled down the track. It has the tagline: "The Games have always been a little gay. Let's fight to keep it that way."
Here's the ad:
American Olympian Christian Niccum told the Times that the video makes fun of luging. Niccum said: "If I were to go hug my dad and someone took a picture and showed it in really slow motion, they could use it in a video like that and that's just ridiculous. It's my dad. Can't we show affection to each other without it being some sort of sexual contact? This is sports. It's the same thing. Why does it have to be like that?"
Others, however, were more understanding. Preston Griffall, who will compete in the doubles competition beginning Wednesday night, told the Times: "We're two dudes, laying on top of each other in spandex. Of course people are going to make fun of it."