SOCHI, September 26 (Laura Mills, The Associated Press) – The International Olympic Committee says it is "fully satisfied" that Russia's law banning the promotion of “non-traditional relationships” to minors does not violate the anti-discrimination guarantees of the Olympic charter.
IOC chairman Jean-Claude Killy said during a news conference Thursday that the committee deliberated for several days, but concluded that "the IOC doesn't have the right to discuss the ... laws that are in place in the country hosting the games" unless the Olympic charter is clearly violated.
Russian officials insist that the law, which has been criticized in Russia and abroad as targeting the LGBT community, is designed to protect children and is not discriminatory. The IOC's Coordination Commission is making its 10th and final visit to Sochi ahead of the Winter Games. Construction is still taking place, but the commission asserted that the Black Sea city will be ready when the games begin on Feb. 7.
