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The rainbow colours two Swedish athletes painted their fingernails in support of gays and lesbians sent a clear message and brought a swift rebuke from a Russian star, perhaps even a glimpse of whats to come at the Sochi Olympics. Speaking at the world championships, pole vault gold medallist Yelena Isinbayeva condemned homosexuality and criticized the Swedes for their gesture critical of Russias new anti-gay legislation. The law, which bans gay "propaganda," has drawn sharp criticism and led some Western activists to call for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in the Russian resort. Isinbayeva won her third world title Tuesday before a boisterous home crowd, and drew even louder cheers Thursday when she received her gold medal. But before accepting it, the woman who will serve as "mayor" of one of the Sochi Olympic villages spoke in favour of the anti-gay stance. "If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people," Isinbayeva, a two-time Olympic champion, said in English. "We just live with boys with woman, woman with boys. "Everything must be fine. It comes from history. We never had any problems, these problems in Russia, and we dont want to have any in the future." Swedish high jumper Emma Green Tregaro, who won a bronze medal at the 2005 worlds, and sprinter Mao Hjelmer sported rainbow colours on their fingernails for events at Luzhniki Stadium, which also hosted the 1980 Moscow Olympics. "The first thing that happened when I came to Moscow and pulled my curtains aside was that I saw the rainbow and that felt a little ironic," Green Tregaro said in a video posted on the website of the Swedish newspaper Expressen. "Then I had a suggestion from a friend on Instagram that maybe I could paint my nails in the colours of the rainbow and that felt like a simple, small thing that maybe could trigger some thoughts." Isinbayeva said it was wrong for the Swedes to make such a statement while competing in Russia. "Its unrespectful to our country. Its unrespectful to our citizens because we are Russians. Maybe we are different from European people and other people from different lands," Isinbayeva told reporters. "We have our home and everyone has to respect (it). When we arrive to different countries, we try to follow their rules." Russias new law does not explicitly ban participation in gay pride parades or promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality online, but anyone wearing a rainbow flag on the street or writing about gay relationships on Facebook, for instance, could be accused of propagandizing. The IOC and FIFA have asked the Russian government for more clarification. It remains unclear if the new law will be enforced during the Sochi Olympics or World Cup. The IAAF, the sports governing body, said the opinions of all athletes should be respected. "The IAAF constitution underlines our commitment to principle of nondiscrimination in terms of religious, political or sexual orientation," IAAF spokesman Nick Davies told The Associated Press. "Allied to this is our belief in free expression as a basic human right, which means we must respect the opinions of both Green Tregaro and Isinbayeva." The International Olympic Committee declined to comment. "You will understand that at this stage we cannot comment on reported opinions/comments," IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said. American middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds was shocked by Isinbayevas comments. Symmonds won a silver medal in the 800 metres at about the same time that Isinbayeva won her pole vault title. "Oh, my god. I cant believe she said that. Its bad," Symmonds told the AP. "For Yelena to come out and say we are normal, standard Russian citizens -- Im paraphrasing here -- and we dont stand for that. "I want to say to Yelena, You understand a very large portion of your citizens here are gay and lesbian people. They are standard people, too. They were created this way. For you to tell them that theyre not normal and standard, thats what were taking an issue with. Thats why we have to continue to demonstrate and to speak out against the ignorance that shes showing." Symmonds said he dedicated his silver medal to his gay and lesbian friends, as he said he would in a blog entry for "Runners World" before the championships began. "While I was here, I wanted to focus on athletics. I wanted to win a medal. That was my job," Symmonds said. "Now that Im done doing that job, if theres something I can do, if this gives me a platform to voice my opinion and speak out about the atrocities that Ive seen here, thats what Id like to do." Isinbayeva has set 28 world records and won seven major titles, including gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, but she said this week that she plans to take a break from the sport to have a baby. She was part of the team that helped Russia win the right to host the 2018 World Cup. Asked by Russian TV if she had any intentions of becoming a politician, Isinbayeva said: "I have blabbed so much today and, as usual, everything was turned upside down." Fans cheered when Isinbayeva entered the stadium to receive her gold medal and roared their approval when she stood on the top step of the podium, thrusting her arms in the air and jumping with glee. IAAF treasurer Valentin Balakhnichev of Russia put the gold medal around her neck and kissed her cheeks, and when the Russian anthem began, Isinbayeva started singing but soon broke down, burying her face in her hands. She quickly regained her composure and kissed her medal while the anthem played on. Before posing with American silver medallist Jenn Suhr and Cuban bronze medallist Yarisley Silva, Isinbayeva dried her eyes and checked her fingertips for smeared makeup. She was all smiles in the ensuing photos, and then addressed the adoring crowd, speaking into a microphone as her image flashed on giant screens.Cheap NBA Jerseys . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Stitched NBA Jerseys . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Clearance NBA Jerseys . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Nike NBA Jerseys China . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie.This story appears in ESPN College Football 2016, on newsstands now. Order online today!Michigan is looking for a quarterback after saying goodbye to Jake Rudock while Michigan State needs someone to fill Connor Cooks shoes. Ohio State needs to replace Ezekiel Elliott. Who will emerge this fall in some of the Big Tens most interesting position battles?East DivisionMichigan Wolverines: QuarterbackHouston transfer John OKorn is the leader in the clubhouse to succeed a surprisingly solid Jake Rudock under center (81.3 QBR in 2015, No. 10 in the FBS), but hes a bit of a wild card. After throwing for 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns in his AAC rookie-of-the-year campaign in 2013, he was benched five games -- and eight interceptions -- into 2014. Junior Shane Morris (who redshirted last year), junior Wilton Speight and true freshman Brandon Peters (the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2016) will push OKorn throughout the summer.Ohio State Buckeyes: Running back?Ezekiel Elliott left large cleats to fill, and not just because he ran for 3,699 yards, 41 TDs and 12 multiple-TD games in his past two seasons. He was also valued as a blocker. And while he was the only RB show in town for two years, the Buckeyes look primed to employ a tailback-by-committee approach this fall. Fifth-year senior?Brionte Dunn and redshirt freshman Mike Weber will battle for the starting gig, but early enrollee Antonio Williams and hybrids Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson will merit attention too.Penn State Nittany Lions: Quarterback?Three-year starter Christian Hackenberg departed early for the NFL after two frustrating seasons behind an understocked line in Franklins system. Hackenberg was durable, attempting all but 75 of PSUs 1,310 passes since 13, making his absence a gaping hole under center. Sophomore Trace McSorley led an inspired comeback attempt (two fourth-quarter TD passes) in last years bowl loss vs. Georgia after Hackenberg got hurt, so he has a slight edge for the job despite just 13 regular-season attempts. Redshirt freshman Tommy Stevens and early enrollee Jake Zembiec are also fits in Moorheads new system.Michigan State Spartans: Quarterback?Mainstay Connor Cook (39 starts in three years) is gone, so coach Mark Dantonio will decide between senior?Tyler OConnor?and junior Damion Terry (80 combined career pass attempts). They are both more mobile than their predecessor (116 yards rushing combined in 15, compared with Cooks 56), but OConnor, with a pro style that Dantonio favors, might hold the edge.Indiana Hoosiers: Defensive line?Moving from a three to a four-man front will be challenging, especially after the loss of four of the top five D-linemen. With three starts in 2015, senior Ralph Green III has the most experience and might be penciled in as one DT. Junior Robert McCray III will also compete for time inside with Nate Hoff, who had only four tackles as a sophomore after making 29 as a freshman.Maryland Terrapins: Quarterback?The Terps pass game was so bad (37.6 QBR, No. 106 in the FBS) that Maryland all but abandoned it. So those aforementioned 29 picks? Even more mind-boggling considering this wasnt a high-volume passing team (387 attempts, No. 82). Seniors Perry Hills (eight starts) and Caleb Rowe (four) must improve to ward off redshirt freshman Gage Shaffer and incoming freshman Tyrrell Pigrome. Otherwise, this spot breaks wide open.Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Quarterback?Junior Chris Laviano beat out LSU transfer Hayden Rettig last year but was unspectacular: 16 TDs to 12 INTs. A new staff brings fresh competitiion.dddddddddddd While Rettig boasts the bigger arm, Rutgers offensive shift from pro-style to power spread (think Ohio State) might favor the slightly more mobile Laviano.West DivisionNebraska Cornhuskers: Defensive tackle?The heart of the D-line, which helped the Huskers hold opponents to 109.8 rush ypg in 2015 (No. 9 in the FBS), sustained major blows: Maliek Collins and Vincent Valentine declared early for the draft, and senior Greg McMullen, a regular on the edge last year (nine starts at DE, four at DT), ended his career to focus on grad school. Senior Kevin Maurice has experience, but the Huskers could go young with twin redshirt freshmen Carlos and Khalil Davis.Wisconsin Badgers: Quarterback?Senior Bart Houston emerged in Week 8 when he replaced Joel Stave against Illinois and threw for 232 yards and two TDs. His experience may make him better suited to see the Badgers through a tough slate (Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State from the East), but redshirt frosh Alex Hornibrook looks to be the long-term answer. A Pitt decommit and early enrollee in 15, he has a rocket arm and a strong bond with Chryst, who had recruited him since his junior year at Malvern (Pa.) Prep.Iowa Hawkeyes: Outside linebacker?The Hawkeyes stout linebackers helped bottle up big runs last year (only 11 rushes of 20-plus yards allowed, T8 in the Power 5). Iowas second-leading tackler, weakside LB Cole Fisher, departs, but juniors Ben Niemann and Bo Bower return to duke it out at strongside. Niemann started all 14 games last year, but Bower contributed (15 tackles) and also brings starting experience (13 games in 14).Northwestern Wildcats: Cornerback?Northwestern loses four-year starter Nick VanHoose, but the Cats are so flush with potential subs that they moved two corners elsewhere -- junior Marcus McShepard to receiver and sophomore Parrker Westphal to safety. Veteran CB Matthew Harris (a senior with 27 career starts) will man one side, and Keith Watkins II and Montre Hartage will vie to line up opposite him. Opposing QBs will avoid Harris (4 INTs, 13 passes broken up in 15), so the Watkins-Hartage competition is pivotal.Minnesota Golden Gophers: Linebacker?Cody Poock and Jack Lynn return as entrenched veterans (18 combined starts in 15), but the Gophers must fill the outside spot vacated by third-leading tackler DeVondre Campbell. They have ample options-linebacker is one of Minnesotas deepest units-with the top candidates being junior Jonathan Celestin and senior Nick Rallis, who combined for 61 tackles and 7 TFLs last year.Purdue Boilermakers: Offensive line?Purdues goal for the trenches in 2016: Field a lineup. Woes up front last year-lack of size, minimal push-resulted in 30 sacks (T84 in the FBS) and 131.3 rush ypg (No. 108). The Boilermakers lost their two best blockers from 15, and though senior OGs Jordan Roos and Jason King return, and Martesse Patterson and Cameron Cermin look likely for tackle, the hole at center looks more like an abyss.Illinois Fighting Illini: Defensive end?Before the coaching shuffle, Illinois added Auburn graduate transfer Gimel President to the roster. President started nine games for the Tigers in 2014 before getting demoted to a reserve role last season, so look for the transplant to compete with senior D-linemen Dawuane Smoot and Carroll Phillips to provide a pass-rush boost. Smoot rang up eight sacks last year, but the rest of the Illini combined for only 11. ' ' '