Many European directors of the Amnesty International delivered a petition to the office of Russian President Vladimir Putin asking repeal of a series of laws restricting the right of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom association in the run up to the Sochi Winter Olympics.
The environmentalists opposed against the construction of Olympic venues in the area of the UNESCO protected Caucasus Biosphere Reserve and Sochi National Park.
Circassian organizations demanded the 2014 Sochi Olympics to be cancelled or moved because the Games will take place on the land habited since their ancestors.
The issue of killing stray dogs in Sochi brought international condemnation.
Finally, some countries decided not to enter competitors.
Answering to all the controversial issues, President Putin made all the preparations for the competition and exposed the hope “to give a better feel of today’s Russia”, adding: “We should move forward and be open to the world.”
The IOC gives appreciation to Russia for the support of the 2014 Winter Sochi Olympics. Addressing to the world leaders, the International Olympic Committee president Tomas Bach told them to keep nation’s politics out of the Olympics. “Please understand what your responsibilities are and have the courage to address your disagreements in a peaceful environment and not in the "backs of the athletes,” he said on Tuesday.
The Winter Sochi Olympics will open soon.
