Russia will enforce anti-gay law during Olympics

MOSCOW – Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says a new law cracking down on gay rights activism will be enforced during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

Mutko’s statement on Thursday follows assurances from the International Olympic Committee that neither athletes nor visitors to the games would be subject to discrimination under the law.

READ MORE: Could gay Canadians – and their supporters – be arrested at Sochi Olympics?

In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the minister said: “An athlete of nontraditional sexual orientation isn’t banned from coming to Sochi. But if he goes out into the streets and starts to propagandize, then of course he will be held accountable.”

READ MORE: Dozens arrested at gay pride rally in Russia

The contentious law, which imposes hefty fines on those providing information about the gay community to minors or holding gay pride rallies, was signed by President Vladimir Putin last month.