Russia 's Vladimir Putin again sought to downplay fears that gay visitors will be discriminated against as he paid a visit to the Sochi area Friday , exactly three weeks before the Winter Olympics get under way . Putin 's remarks came as he met with volunteers for the games , the state-run Itar-Tass news agency reported . The President said Russia , unlike some other countries , does not criminalize homosexual relationships . `` We do n't outlaw anything and do n't nab anyone , '' Putin said . `` That 's why you can feel safe and free here , but please leave our children in peace , '' he added . Russia has come under international pressure since its parliament passed a law last summer outlawing `` gay propaganda . '' The legislation makes it illegal to tell children about gay equality . The law has been widely criticized by Western leaders who have called it archaic and discriminatory . Human rights activists say it proves Russia is unworthy of hosting the latest Winter Olympics . Putin 's meeting with the Olympic volunteers came a day after he told foreign ambassadors in Moscow that the event would be held `` without any discrimination '' against athletes and visitors . `` The games will be held in complete compliance with the Olympic Charter , without any discrimination on the basis of any characteristic , '' Putin said Thursday , according to state media . The Olympic Charter states that : `` Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race , religion , politics , gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement . '' Police presence . Security has been stepped up in and around Sochi ahead of the Games . A twin bomb attack on public transit in the southern city of Volgograd at the end of December heightened concerns that Islamist terrorists may seek to strike in Sochi . There was a heavy police presence on the streets of the Black Sea resort Friday as Putin visited the area . Two security blimps also hovered in the skies above the Sochi Olympic Village , allowing long-range monitoring of activities on the ground . Meanwhile , last-minute construction work continues apace ahead of the expected influx of 6,000 athletes from 85 countries and thousands more visitors from around the world . The event has cost at least $ 50 billion to stage , including major infrastructure work in and around Sochi .
Western President Putin says homosexuals have nothing to fear in Sochi . `` You can feel safe and free here , but please leave our children in peace , '' he says . His remarks come as he meets volunteers for the upcoming Winter Olympics . Vladimir Putin told ambassadors Thursday the games would be held `` without any discrimination ''