The Olympic torch was due to arrive in Olympic hosts Sochi today two days ahead of the Winter Games opening, on a global day of planned protests against Russia's anti-gay legislation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was also set to visit athletes settling into the Olympic villages as the authorities rush to make the finishing touches ahead of Friday's opening ceremony in the Fisht stadium.
Putin has vowed that Russia will ensure hospitable and top class Games for everyone but the $50 billion project has long been overshadowed by Russia's law outlawing "gay propaganda" to minors.
Gay rights group All Out is organising protests in 19 cities around the world -- including Saint Petersburg in Russia but not Sochi itself -- urging sponsors to "break their silence" on the controversial legislation.
"This is the moment to push sponsors to use their economic power to call for an end to these discriminatory laws," it said in a statement.
US telecoms giant AT&T yesterday joined a growing international chorus of disapproval at the "gay propaganda" law which activists say is vehemently homophobic by definition.
"We stand against Russia's anti-LGBT law," said AT&T, the biggest US cellphone and landline operator, in a blog on its corporate website.
The international demonstrations by LGBT activists plan to target big-name Olympic sponsors such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Samsung, watchmaker Omega and Visa credit cards.
The Olympic flame is due to spend the next three days in and around Sochi, including Friday when it will finally arrive at the stadium to light the Olympic cauldron.
