Russia to enforce anti-gay law during Winter Games

Russia will enforce a new law cracking down on gay rights activism when it hosts international athletes and fans during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the country's sports minister said, appearing to contradict assurances to the contrary given by the International Olympic Committee.

Russia's contentious law was signed by President Vladimir Putin in late June, imposing fines on individuals accused of spreading "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors, and even proposing penalties for those who express these views online or in the media. Gay pride rallies are also banned.

"An athlete of nontraditional sexual orientation isn't banned from coming to Sochi," Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport, the sports newswire of state news agency RIA Novosti. "But if he goes out into the streets and starts to propagandise, then of course he will be held accountable."

Mutko emphasised the law wasn't designed to punish anyone for being gay or lesbian. But like the Russian lawmakers who authored the bill, Mutko said athletes would be punished only for propaganda, a word that remains ambiguous under the new law.

"The corresponding law doesn't forbid nontraditional orientation, but other things: propaganda, involvement of minors and young people."

The law specifies punishment for foreign citizens, to include fines of up to 100,000 roubles (HK$23,400), up to 15 days' jail, deportation and denial of re-entry into Russia.