Russian lawmaker says anti-gay law will be enforced at Winter Olympics

St. Petersburg, Russia - A Russian lawmaker has denied that gay athletes and tourists attending the Winter Olympics in Sochi will be exempt from the nation's recently approved "gay propaganda" law, which prohibits the public promotion of gay rights where minors might be present.

Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that it has assurances that the law would not be enforced at next year's Olympic Games.

"The IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games," the IOC said.

"The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation. The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle."

But Vitaly Milonov, author of a similar law in St. Petersburg, denied the claim, saying that the government cannot selectively enforce the law.

"I have not heard any comments from the government of the Russian Federation but I know it is acting in accordance with Russian law," Milonov told Interfax. "If a law has been approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no right to suspend it. It doesn't have the authority."