Dmitry Kozak told a news conference today that Russian organisers will not discriminate against visitors or athletes because of their sexuality, but he backed the government’s support for the so-called gay propaganda law.

Mr Kozak said athletes are free to express their views and discuss their sexuality.

However, he asked them to stay away from children, saying: “leave the kids alone”.

Russia introduced a bill last year that outlawed the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”.

Groups representing gay people say the law has contributed to the intolerance of sexual minorities in Russia.