MOSCOW, Oct 28 — President Vladimir Putin promised today that gay and lesbian athletes and guests at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in February will feel at ease despite Russia's new “homosexual propaganda” ban.

“We will do everything to make sure that athletes, fans and guests feel comfortable at the Olympic Games regardless of their ethnicity, race or sexual orientation,” local news agencies quoted Putin as telling Russian sports officials in the presence of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. — AFP