Media Watch - Putin on Sochi Games; Stockholm Drops Olympic Bid

Road to Sochi 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed gay visitors to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but asks that they "leave the children in peace." Putin vows there will be no discrimination at the Sochi Games; gays visiting Sochi "can feel calm and at ease." Al Jazeera expects Putin’s comments "unlikely to appease critics of the ban."

On Friday, Putin also indicated that Sochi 2014 volunteers "may be allowed to fill up empty seats" at the Winter Games next month. RIA Novosti reports this signal from Putin follows a report that "around 30 percent of Olympic tickets remain unsold three weeks before the February 7 opening ceremony."

"Why should places go empty? It's better that they're filled, and occupied by people who love sport," Putin said while visiting the mountain facilities at Krasnaya Polyana.

United States journalist David Satter tells the Global Post that he hopes the US government will make a "tough response" to Russia’s decision to expel him from the country.

The AFP says Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will attend the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February, "despite calls for a boycott over Russia's anti-gay laws."

ESPN's Keith Olbermann announces his "world's worst" persons in sports. Former IOC vice president Mario Pescante takes the honors for being "upset" that the US Olympic delegation to the Sochi Games "includes openly gay athletes."

NBC reports that United States goalie Jesse Vetter will attend the Sochi Olympics "without a quote from the US Constitution on her mask."

Parade writer Brooke Hauser talks to four ice skating legends about "legends on the Winter Games, their own Olympic memories, and life off the ice."

Olympic figure skating contender Gracie Gold sat down with "The Tonight Show" host on Thursday to discuss her road to Sochi and "what countries give the best gifts after performances."

The Associated Press speaks with Canadian hockey player Sidney Crosby on being the "face of the Canadian team as it looks to defend its gold medal" at the Sochi Olympics.

Stockholm Drops Bid

AP Sports discusses a dropped 2022 Olympic bid from Stockholm, Sweden: "The Swedish capital pulled the plug on its bid after the City Council refused to back the project."

The CBC features the five countries left in the race for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Compiled byNicole Bennett.

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