Soci scene: ‘Y-M-C-A’

Members of the Norwegian speedskating team round the track at Adler Arena Skating Centre at the Sochi Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. AP

SOCHI, Russia—”Y.M.C.A,” for many a gay anthem, was played at full blast by organizers over the public address system at the Adler Arena speedskating oval during Saturday’s competition.

With the crowd dancing and hopping to the disco hit of the Village People, the organizers pre-empted a difficult choice for the Dutch brass band that always performs at Olympic speed skating ovals, since Kleintje Pils feared performing the song might antagonize the Russian authorities.

The oompah band will arrive only next weekend and had feared it might impede a ban on information about “nontraditional sexual relations” signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Band leader Ruud Bakker said he wanted to include it in its sing-along repertoire as “a signal” even though he did not want to become part of a “political game.” Over the past weeks, it briefly threatened to become a political issue in the Netherlands, known for its liberal views on sexuality.

Now that organizers played the song themselves, the issue appears to be off the table. Venue organizers can pick from a playlist of 4,600 tracks approved by the Sochi organizing committee, said venue press manager Cornelia Schmid.

It went on during an intermission at the oval when a presenter asked a fan what song she wanted to hear. When it turned out to be “Y.M.C.A,” the tune was immediately unleashed on the crowd.

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