( CNN ) -- The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics will feature designated public zones where protestors will be able to demonstrate , the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) has announced . IOC president Thomas Bach told reporters in Lausanne , Switzerland that organizers of Russia 's first Winter Games had agreed to set aside areas similar to ones previously seen at Vancouver 2010 and the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing . `` We welcome the announcement of the [ Sochi 2014 ] Organizing Committee that in Sochi there will be protest zones that will be established for people who want to demonstrate against something , '' said Bach , who replaced former president Jacques Rogge in September . `` ( Protestors ) will have the opportunity to do so in special protest zones . This was under discussion with the IOC for quite some time . It was announced to us today ( Monday ) and it will be located in Sochi . '' Russia 's suitability to host the Games has been called in to question following the country 's introduction of anti-gay propaganda laws earlier this year . Russian officials have given assurances that the laws , which bars the public discussion of gay rights and relationships anywhere children might hear it , will not affect athletes or international tourists heading to the Games . On Monday , German president Joachim Gauck became the first major political figure to announce he will not be attending the Games . German newspaper Der Spiegel reported Gauck made the decision in protest against human rights violations and the harassment of Russian opposition political figures , although those claims were denied by his office . Gauck 's fellow German Bach also questioned whether the president 's decision was an act of protest . `` These kind of invitations are invitations from Governments to Governments and it is not up to the IOC to interfere with Government relations , '' said Bach . `` On a personal note I know President Gauck is a very straightforward man . If his decision would have any political motivation he would have said this . He can not travel to the country without an earlier state visit . `` I know him a little bit . He knows how to use the words and if he had something to say he would have said it . '' Another senior politician who will not be at the Black Sea resort is Viviane Reding , the European Union Commissioner for Justice , Fundamental Rights and Citizenship . The Luxembourgian tweeted : `` I will certainly not go to Sotchi ( sic ) as long as minorities are treated the way they are under the current Russian legislation . '' The IOC will warn athletes against taking part in any protests or demonstrations during the Games , which begin on February 7 . Rule 50 in the Olympic Charter , which governs the Games , says : `` No kind of demonstration or political , religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites , venues or other areas . '' ''We will give the background of the Rule 50 , explaining the interpretation of the Rule 50 to make the athletes aware and to assure them that the athletes will be protected , '' Bach , who won a gold medal in fencing in 1976 , told the Associated Press earlier this week . ''As an athlete you do not want to be confronted in the Olympic Village or the Olympic Stadium with any kind of political controversies . '' The IOC 's stance has drawn the ire of tennis legend Martina Navratilova . The Czechoslovakian-born American , who came out as gay in 1981 , criticized the IOC `` for really putting their head in the sand '' over the issue of Russian law . `` The IOC needs to stand up better for their athletes quite frankly , '' she told reporters at the United Nations , where she was speaking to mark International Human Rights Day . The IOC denied Navratilova 's claims , saying it is against all forms and discrimination . It also said it has no place commenting on one country 's laws . `` The IOC is 'standing up for athletes ' by making sure that the Olympic Charter is respected by all participants at the Games and ensuring there will be no discrimination on grounds of race , sex or sexuality , '' the organization said in a statement given to CNN . `` We can not intervene in the laws of individual countries -- we leave that to governments and the relevant international organizations such as the United Nations . ''
Public protest zones will be set aside at the European Union 2014 Winter Olympics . Russia 's suitability to host Winter Olympics has been questioned . Russia 's president Viviane Reding will not be attending the Games . European Union official Joachim Gauck says she would not visit Sochi .