Sheer courage: after winning a silver medal in the 800M at the World Champsionships in Russia, runner Nick Symmonds dedicated his win to the LGBT, challenging their anti-gay law

From Outsports:

A few days ago, middle distance runner Nick Symmonds for saying he was a gay ally, yet would remain silent about Russia's anti-gay laws while competing at the World Track and Field Championships in Moscow. But after taking the silver medal in the men's 800 meters, Symmonds was not silent, telling Russia's R-Sport he was dedicating his medal to his LGBT friends back home:

"As much as I can speak out about it, I believe that all humans deserve equality as however God made them," he told R-Sport after running a 1:43.55 at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. "Whether you're gay, straight, black, white, we all deserve the same rights. If there's anything I can do to champion the cause and further it, I will, shy of getting arrested." 

"I respect Russians' ability to govern their people," he said Tuesday. "I disagree with their laws. I do have respect for this nation. I disagree with their rules."

My dad, a famous track and field coach in the 1970s, is proud of Nick on both accounts.  Me, too.