News » Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered new assurances to gay athletes and fans attending the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics next month. Yet he defended Russias anti-gay law by equating gays with pedophiles and said Russia needs to "cleanse" itself of homosexuality if it wants to increase its birth rate. Putins comments in an interview broadcast Sunday with Russian and foreign television stations showed the wide gulf between the perception of homosexuality in Russia versus the West. A Russian law passed last year banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" among minors has caused an international outcry. Putin refused to answer a question from the BBC on whether he believes that people are born gay or become gay. The Russian law, however, suggests that information about homosexuality can influence a childs sexual orientation. The law has contributed to growing animosity toward gays in Russian society, with rights activists reporting a rise in harassment and abuse. International worries about how gays will be treated in Sochi have been met with assurances from Russian officials and Olympics organizers that there will be no discrimination, and Putin reiterated that stance. "There are no fears for people with this nontraditional orientation who plan to come to Sochi as guests or participants," Putin declared in the TV interview. He said the law was aimed at banning propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia, suggesting that gays are more likely to abuse children. Making another favourite argument against homosexuality, Putin noted with pride that Russia saw more births than deaths last year for the first time in two decades. Population growth is vital for Russias development and "anything that gets in the way of that we should clean up," he said, using a word usually reserved for military operations. The law on propaganda has been used to justify barring gay pride rallies on the grounds that children might see them. This has raised the question of how athletes and fans would be treated for any gay-rights protests during the Olympics. When asked about this by the ABC TV channel, Putin said protests against the law itself would not be considered propaganda. Putin then hit back, accusing the United States of double standards in its criticism of Russia, pointing to laws that remain on the books in some U.S. states classifying gay sex as a crime. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, ruled in 2003 that such laws were unconstitutional. Homosexuality was a crime in the entire former Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991. It was decriminalized in Russia in 1993. The Sochi Winter Olympics run Feb. 7-23. Buffalo Bills Dawson Knox Jersey . A spokeswoman for the NLRB says its "a very incremental move" and does not necessarily indicate the board is close to a finding in the case. NFL owners filed an unfair labour charge against the players union in February, arguing that the union was not negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in good faith. Stitched Buffalo Bills Jerseys . The league announced Thursday that Tom Higgins is leaving that post effective immediately. http://www.cheapbills.us/ . Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. Buffalo Bills Cody Ford Jersey . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21. Custom Bills Jerseys .com) - Mikko Korhonen carded a 5-under 67 on Thursday to claim medalist honors at the European Tours Final Qualifying Stage tournament.Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri says he has not even met former chairman Raffaele Riva and is not worried about the club facing possible sanctions. Riva stepped down from his post on Wednesday night, saying he wanted to focus on other business interests.The announcement came in the wake of the news that the Football League is investigating allegations Watford provided the organisation with a forged letter in 2014, as evidence that incoming owner Gino Pozzo could bankroll the club. Shortly after Riva announced his departure, Watford released a statement, which said in part: We can assure every supporter the club acted with honesty, integrity and in good faith at every step and is not guilty of any wrongdoing. Liverpool vs Watford November 6, 2016, 1:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass And Mazzarri said at his Thursday press conference that he was also unconcerned.I am perfect, said the Italian. I am not worried at all.I never met him [Riva] and never had the pleasure to meet him. I know he was in charge in that position but I never had the pleasure to meet him.I always speak inside the club with the president Giampaolo Pozzo, chief executive Scott Duxbury and sporting director Luke Dowling.On the field, things are going smoothly for Mazzarri, with Watford lying seventh ahead of their trip to Liverpool on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1.dddddddddddd Troy Deeney will again bid for his 100th Watford goal on Sunday However, key man Troy Deeney is without a goal in three games, as he searches for his 100th for the club.Its possible its a psychological problem because on Sunday [against Hull] he should have scored, Mazzarri said.Now hopefully he can score on Sunday so that, from here on, he can score as many as possible.Mazzarri is likely to be without Sebastian Prodl at Anfield after the defender was forced off late on against Hull due to a muscle injury.A late decision will also be made on striker Stefano Okaka, who is close to recovering from a hamstring strain. Football Score Centre app Sky Sports customers can watch Premier League goals and highlights every weekend at no extra cost. Mazzarri added: Unfortunately, Prodl has been added to the injury list. I dont think that he will be able to be available for this weekend, but we will see.We will also think about Okaka but I dont want to run the risk of him getting even more injured. We will decide last minute. 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