<p>Athletes at the Winter Olympics may be punished for making statements on the podium against Russia's anti-gay laws or human rights record but can do so at news conferences without fear of sanction, the IOC said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, explained ahead of next month's Sochi Games that under the Olympic Charter political protests and demonstrations within venues are not allowed.<br /><br />"It is very clear the Games cannot be used as a stage for political demonstrations however good the cause may be," Bach told a media conference call on Monday.<br />"The IOC will take, if necessary, individual decisions based on individual cases. It is also clear on the other hand the athletes enjoy the freedom of speech so if in a press conference they wanted to make a political statement then they are absolutely free to do so."<br /><br />Asked whether he was urging athletes to make their point at news conferences rather than the medals podium, Bach said: "If you are drawing this conclusion I would not say anything against it".<br /><br />Russia has caused considerable controversy with a recent anti-gay propaganda law that critics say curb the rights of homosexuals in the country.<br /><br />President Vladimir Putin has said homosexuals will not be discriminated against during the Feb 7-23 Winter Games but many athletes have said they would make their opposition known during the Olympics in the Russian Black Sea resort.<br /></p>
<p>Athletes at the Winter Olympics may be punished for making statements on the podium against Russia's anti-gay laws or human rights record but can do so at news conferences without fear of sanction, the IOC said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, explained ahead of next month's Sochi Games that under the Olympic Charter political protests and demonstrations within venues are not allowed.<br /><br />"It is very clear the Games cannot be used as a stage for political demonstrations however good the cause may be," Bach told a media conference call on Monday.<br />"The IOC will take, if necessary, individual decisions based on individual cases. It is also clear on the other hand the athletes enjoy the freedom of speech so if in a press conference they wanted to make a political statement then they are absolutely free to do so."<br /><br />Asked whether he was urging athletes to make their point at news conferences rather than the medals podium, Bach said: "If you are drawing this conclusion I would not say anything against it".<br /><br />Russia has caused considerable controversy with a recent anti-gay propaganda law that critics say curb the rights of homosexuals in the country.<br /><br />President Vladimir Putin has said homosexuals will not be discriminated against during the Feb 7-23 Winter Games but many athletes have said they would make their opposition known during the Olympics in the Russian Black Sea resort.<br /></p>