Russia announced that it will not subject athletes and guests attending the 2014 Winter Olympics to its stringent new anti-gay law.
This decision came a day after Russia's sports minister warned that athletes and spectators would be held accountable under its law that bans discussion and displays of "non-traditional" relationships around minors.
"The Olympic Games is a major international event. We need to be as polite and tolerant as possible. That is why a decision has been made not to raise this issue during the Olympics," said Igor Ananskikh, deputy chairman of the State Duma's Physical Culture, Sport and Youth Policy Committee, according to ABC News.
"Russia plans to host large international competitions in the future. The atmosphere at them must be as safe and polite as possible," he added.
In July, Russia passed the "anti-gay propaganda law" which prohibits homosexual behavior and talk in the presents of children as well as displaying the gay flag in public, reports CNN. Violators face steep fines and jail time, while foreigners face similar penalties and deportation.
The change of policy brought international backlash over the law, especially after the sports minister's comments on Thursday.
Activists in the United States called for a boycott of Russian products like vodka, while others demanded a boycott of the games entirely.
Homosexuality was illegal during the Soviet Union and was decriminalized in 1993. In 1999, a law that sent homosexuals to psychiatric wards wasn't annulled.
Gay rights advocates say that petitions for gay pride parades in Moscow have been rejected and unsanctioned rallies are often met with egg-throwing Russian Orthodox believers as well as physical violence.
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