11 Dec 2013

Winter Olympics athletes warned against political protests

5:32 am on 11 December 2013

Athletes competing at next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi will be warned not to make any political gestures or protest against a Russian law banning gay propaganda.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said athletes will be reminded of the rule in the Olympic Charter which bans any demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda at any Olympic sites.

The warning has prompted questions about whether athletes will be allowed to wear rainbow pins or patchs in support of gay rights.