Putin Says Everyone Welcome in Sochi; P&G Campaign; Torch Update

Putin Says Homosexuals Welcome in Sochi

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will work to make sure everyone is "comfortable" during the Sochi Olympics, including homosexuals.

The comments came on Monday as IOC President Thomas Bach was making his first visit to the 2014 host as IOC president.

"We are doing everything, both the organizers and our athletes and fans, so that participants and guests feel comfortable in Sochi, regardless of nationality, race or sexual orientation," he was quoted by Reuters telling Bach.

Russia passed a controversial law prohibiting gay "propaganda" earlier this year. The move sparked widespread criticism and calls for boycotts of the Games.

Putin’s comments are likely to defuse what was seen as a potentially controversial issue during the Games.

Procter & Gamble Starts Olympic Campaign

TOP Sponsor Procter & Gamble began its "Thank You Moms" campaign for Sochi 2014.

The campaign kicked on Monday with a screening of the first "Raising an Olympian" short film featuring Olympic medalists and Olympic hopefuls Lindsey Vonn, Felix Neureuther, Sven Kramer, and Elena Ilinykh.

The series will consist of 28 spots shown in the 100 days leading up to the Games. Each film will profile different Procter & Gamble athletes and their mothers during their journey to becoming an Olympian.

The first 14 "Raising an Olympian" profilescan be viewed here.

A total of 15 P&G brands will be part of the conglomerate’s "Thank You Moms" Campaign.

"P&G brands look at Olympic sponsorship through a special lens," said Marc Pritchard P&G Global Brand Building Officer in a statement. "Our brands don’t just live at the finish line; they’re about the everyday journey athletes take to get to the Games, a journey they started in childhood with their moms."

Torch in St. Petersburg, Heading to Far West Russia

On Monday, the Sochi Olympic flame toured the historic suburbs of St. Petersburg:Kronstadt, Lomonosov, Peterhof, and Pushkin. Around 515 torchbearers, including Russian pairs skater Elena Berezhnaya, track star Natalia Antyukh, and Russian footballer Aleksandr Kerzhakov, carried the flame during its tour of St. Petersburg. The relay route in St. Petersburg stretched across approximately 43 miles.

The relay ended in Pushkin and then heads to the westernmost region of Russia, Kaliningrad, on Tuesday.

One torchbearer tells Around the Rings he had a tremendous experience carrying the torch.

Raymond Goldsmith,Chairman and CEO of International Sports Multimedia,carried the torch on October 24 in Veliky Novgorod.

He said he was "shocked" to learn about the city's long place in Russian history.

"We were shocked to learn that it is regarded as the first city of Russiawith its own Kremlin and a magnificent church dating back to the ninth century," he said.

Approximately 73,000 people gathered to watch the welcoming ceremony, which took place at the ancient Rurik settlement.

"To celebrate the relay, they’d given all the schools the day off," Goldsmith tells ATR. "Local businesses were closed so that people come to the town and share in it, and it was a huge turnout.

"We wondered whether or not the Russian people were enthused by it and the answer is: they are amazingly behind it. They feel very proud apparently to be hosting it."

Goldsmith saidthis was his third time participating in an Olympic torch relay. However, there was a "heck of a treat" for Goldsmith this time. He passed the flame to his son.

The only downside of Goldsmith's experience was the weather: "I can now fully understand why Russians are typically seen on the television news walking around with a hoodie or a hat on top of their head because it was very cold."

It could have been worse he said. "They told us to come back in January, February, or March if we really want to experience the cold."

Overall the portion of the relay in Veliky Novgorod"ran very smoothly." Goldsmith tells ATR that after the relay he was besieged with residents and visitors wanting photographs: "I think it was the first time one had an appreciation for what it must be like if you’re David Beckham." He says the enthusiasm that the public had towards the event, and clearly towards the Olympics going there, contributed to his upbeat attitude all day.

"It was a really fun day."

Are you running in the Sochi torch relay, or have you seen the torch? Tell your story toAround the Rings. Email comment@aroundtherings.com.

Written byNicole Bennett, Ed Hula IIIandAaron Bauer

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