10 Aug 2013

Please explain call to Russia over anti-gay law

5:44 pm on 10 August 2013

Olympic president Jacques Rogge says Russia must explain how it will implement its controversial anti-gay propaganda law and the Belgian wants Russia to detail its impact on next year's Winter Games at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The International Olympic Committee want clarification of how the law will be applied, despite having received assurances from Games organisers.

Rogge says the Olympic charter is very clear - that sport is a human right, it should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation and the Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination.

The ban has led some to call for a boycott of the Sochi Games. US President Barack Obama has voiced his concern while Puerto Rican IOC presidential candidate Richard Carrion has spoken strongly against the legislation.