A ban on gay sex implemented by the Samoan National Olympic Committee has been retracted in effort to correct the perception that homosexuals were being singled or discriminated against.
The ban was suggested as a form of protection for the athletes and stated that homosexual acts are against the laws of God. After the announcement of the ban, it was realized that rules against discrimination were being violated.

Samoa National Olympic Committee president Tapasu Leung Wai has stated that the rules were originally a draft and were never intended to be released to the public. After the release of the rules, it was recognized by Leung Wai and the team managers that the proposed ban should be rejected.

The games to be held in August and September will bring nearly 5,000 people to Samoa. Leung Wai hopes no discrimination is felt and has explained to Radio Australia that Samoan culture promotes equality and that he “regrets[s] that it appeared that gay people were being singled out in the draft of instructions.”