I can't imagine Russia would actually do this, but if they did, I would change my mind about a boycott and urge all athletes to withdraw from the Games immediately. More than likely this is just sabre rattling to discourage protests against Russia's anti-gay laws. However arrests would be beyond unacceptable. Other host countries have bent local laws/custom to accommodate the Games. When push comes to shove, I would expect Russia to do the same. If they don't, they should not be allowed to host the Games again until they can conform to basic human rights standards.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/russia-warns-gay-athl … 23743.html
If Russia were to do as this official says and actually arrest athletes and fans for the mere "crime" of being openly gay, it would be violating its duties as the host nation of an international sporting event. Not only would it not be guaranteeing the safety of athletes and fans, but the Russian government would be actively endangering them. In addition, Russia would be attempting to dictate what athletes may compete on its land and what fans can attend. Can you imagine a devout Muslim country being awarded the Games with the understanding that it would not allow female athletes to participate?
As far as I am concerned, if Russia were to take this daring and unprecedented step, it should not be allowed to host any major international event until it can fulfill its duties as host. And if governments won't act, the athletes themselves should refuse future competition in Russia should arrests happen. It really is that serious a matter.
I also don't get Russia making a big to-do over this. The threat virtually guarantees that the Sochi Games are going to be protested. If Russian police respond with arrests, it could get very ugly.
And let us not only look at human rights for gay people, human rights for women - which are no minority!! - human rights for refugees, and so on.
I think it is most important to keep these things aloud, in public discussion, in all kind of forums, before, during and after the games/events. It does NOT help to silence these issues during the games, avoiding protests, and two weeks later all continues as usual. This is not a first time, not for the olympic games, not for other events (eurovision in Azerbeidsan).
If I were in Russia I'd be saving my pennies and be on the first plane/train OUTTA there. Family or no family, I couldn't live in a place where I was treated like garbage my whole life. Having people throw eggs and feces at me, and the cops arrest me, not the people attacking me. Fuck that, I'd be gone.
The guy who helps me with this site is from Kazakhstan. He said it's horrible there and he moved to Thailand and glad he did.