President Obama and Vice President Biden have joined German President Joachim Gauck and French President Francois Hollande in announcing that they will not be attending the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Russian officials have been criticized for a number of human rights concerns, including the suppression of environmental activists, controversial anti-gay laws and even detaining migrant workers. According to the BBC, Human Rights Watch alleges that local migrants in the region were “rounded up” and imprisoned in inhumane conditions, often, just because of their non-Slavic appearance. In their place, the U.S. is sending a delegation of leaders recognized for their accomplishments in public service and in sports, including two openly gay athletes …
