Olympic committee seeks clarity on Russia's anti-gay law

The International Olympic Committee wants more clarification from the Russian government on the anti-gay law that has caused an international outcry ahead of the Winter Games in Sochi.

The law, signed by President Vladimir Putin in June, bans "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" and imposes fines on those holding gay pride rallies.

Jacques Rogge, president of the IOC, said Friday the Russian government provided written reassurances about the law on Thursday, but some of them were still too unclear.

"We are waiting for the clarifications before having the final judgment on these reassurances," Rogge said, a day ahead of the world track and field championships in Moscow.

Amid protests in the United States over the law, Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested a boycott of the Winter Games, to be held from Feb. 7-23,  as a retaliatory measure against Russia for granting political asylum to former National Security Agency analyst Edward Snowden.

Celebrities and gay rights groups, among others, have also joined the chorus of people calling for a boycott.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney ruled out a possible U.S. boycott of the Olympics.

"That is a conversation that we are not having," Carney said. "To speak about something like that is not in anyone's interests."

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko insisted Thursday that Olympic athletes "have to respect the laws of the country" during the Sochi Games. But he also said beyond the law, Russia has "a constitution that guarantees to all citizens rights for the private life and privacy."

"The Olympic charter is clear," Rogge said. "A sport is a human right and it should be available to all, regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation."

Even if Russia conforms to that principle, there is still the issue of athletes speaking freely during the games.

"As far as the freedom of expression is concerned, of course, this is something that is important," Rogge said. "But we cannot make a comment on the law" until the clarifications have been received.

"I understand your impatience to get the full picture, but we haven't (received) it today," Rogge said. "There are still too many uncertainties in the text."

Rogge said the problems seemed to center on translations.

"We don't think it is a fundamental issue," he said at a news conference following a meeting of the IOC executive board with the International Association of Athletics Federations.

With Al Jazeera and The Associated Press