Russian government officials have reportedly assured gay athletes competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi that they will not discrimination despite a controversial new law on gay propaganda.
According to BBC, the law prescribes fines for providing information on homosexuality to minors, with critics saying that its loose interpretation effectively hinders any kind of public gay rights event in Russia.
However, the Russian interior ministry dismissed the concerns as 'completely unfounded and unsubstantiated', in response to International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge query as how the law might affect the Sochi Games, and said that they regarded it as an attempt to undermine trust in the upcoming Sochi Olympics.
According to the ministry, there would be no issue with 'people who adhere to non-traditional sexual orientation but do not engage in these activities, nor stage any provocations', and take part peacefully in Olympic events together with everyone else.
However, the ministry insisted that officials would also act during the Games to protect children 'from the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations'
But Rogge said that there were still 'uncertainties' despite written assurances received from Sochi organisers, adding that the IOC is waiting for this clarification before having final judgement on these reassurances.
