Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Barack Obama was the first African-American president of the United States. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008 and an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004.
50 years in 50 weeks: 2014 Winter Olympics
The 2014 Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia, and our February 13, 2014 issue reported that the global athletic event included little gay visibility.
The games were held amid political upheaval, as the previous summer, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the anti-gay law that made it a crime to "promote" homosexuality to minors.
That made plenty of out athletes nervous when it came to donning rainbow-themed attire or showing other signs of inclusivity.
Then-President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and first lady Michelle Obama did not attend the games. Obama told NBC's Bob Costas that they all had "busy schedules." Obama did choose three openly gay athletes to be part of the 10-member U.S.
