No gay representative in Dutch winter Olympic delegation

The official Dutch delegation to the Winter Olympics in Russia next month will not include any representatives from Dutch gay rights organisations.

Foreign minister Frans Timmermans told parliament on Friday that while he welcomed the suggestion made by Labour MPs last week, the security requirements make it impossible to get accreditation for an extra delegate.

Timmermans did say prime minister Mark Rutte and sports minister Edith Schippers will be briefed by the COC gay rights lobby group before leaving for Sochi.

Rutte has also requested a formal meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss human rights during the games.

King Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima are also attending the Olympics. The Netherlands has been criticised for sending such a heavyweight team to Russia.

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