Google has made a bold statement against discrimination on its home page . The search giant 's rainbow Olympic-themed logo , posted to mark the first day of the Sochi Winter Games , sends a powerful message of support for not only gay athletes competing in the games , but for the gay community at large and its supporters . The company often changes its logo to reflect current events or to mark significant anniversaries . The latest `` Google doodle '' features images of athletes involved in Winter Olympic events , against a backdrop colored like the rainbow flag , the adopted symbol of the movement for gay rights . Unlike the current iteration , Google doodles usually conform to the company logo 's color scheme . Under the search bar , the company quotes the Olympic Charter , which promises all athletes the right to practice sport . `` 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 , '' the Charter excerpt reads . The quoted paragraph is the fourth in the Charter 's `` fundamental principles of Olympism '' ( pdf ) . The colored logo is a direct rebuke to Russian president Vladimir Putin 's government , whose recently-introduced anti-gay legislation , the so-called anti-gay propaganda law , has been a focal point of critics of these Games . Opponents argue that the laws that Putin 's government enacted last year are in contravention to the spirit of the Games . Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak , recently warned both spectators and athletes against promoting gay rights during the Olympics . Last month Anatoly Pakhomov , the Mayor of Sochi , drew ridicule by suggesting that the city was devoid of gay people . Ban Ki-moon , the UN secretary general , used his speech to the International Olympic Committee on Thursday to offer support to the LGBT community , saying that `` many professional athletes , gay and straight , are speaking out against prejudice . '' Google 's undisputed position as the world 's most-used search engine means that this is a rebuke that may be seen by billions . The Sochi Winter Olympics officially open today and will run until the 23rd of February .
Google doodle supports LGBT community with rainbow flag and Olympic Charter quote . Putin 's government criticized for its anti-gay stance . UN Secretary General also shows support for LGBT community in IOC speech .