IOC: 2014 Olympic Visitors Won't Be Subject to Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

They've received "assurances"

The International Olympic Committee told R-Sport on Friday that it had received "assurances from the highest level" of Russian government that athletes and spectators at next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi would be exempt from a controversial law banning anything deemed as promoting homosexuality.

Since it was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin last month, the legislation targeting so-called homosexual propaganda has attracted calls from activists around the world to boycott Russia's first Winter Olympics.

"As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media," the IOC said in an emailed statement.