Winter Olympics 2014: IOC president Thomas Bach says competitors will not be gagged at Sochi Games

Athletes will be allowed to make political statements in press conferences at the Winter Olympics but will be punished for doing so while competing or during Games ceremonies, Thomas Bach confirmed on Monday.

The International Olympic Committee president vowed that no athlete would be denied “freedom of speech” whilst in Sochi, despite the Olympic Charter banning demonstrations or “political, religious or racial propaganda” in any Games areas.

Violations of that can result in expulsion but, in his final media address before departing for Russia, Bach made it clear athletes would have a forum to air their views on the many controversies to have dogged Russia in the build-up to his first Games as IOC president.

They include the threat of terrorism and allegations of widespread corruption and human rights abuses, as well as the storm over the country’s new anti-gay laws, which has been reignited after Sochi Mayor Anataloy Pakhamov declared homosexuals were “not acceptable in the Caucasus”.

Bach, who is set to travel to Sochi this week, said: “The Games cannot be used as a stage for political demonstrations, however good the cause may be. The IOC will take, if necessary, individual decisions based on the individual case.

“It is also clear, on the other hand, the athletes, of course, enjoy the freedom of speech. And so, if, in a press conference for instance, they wanted to make a political statement then they’re absolutely free to do so.” Responding to Pakhamov’s comments, Bach reiterated he had been assured by Russian president Vladimir Putin that there would be no discrimination at the Games on the grounds of sexuality.

He also expressed “full confidence” in Russia’s security forces after it emerged that officials within the British government had compiled a threat assessment which said terrorist attacks were “very likely to occur” in the country during the Olympics.

The build-up to the Games has been marred by several suicide bombings in the region, while police were still hunting on Monday for a female terrorism suspect known as the 'Black Widow’, who is feared to have breached the so-called 'Ring of Steel’ around Sochi.

“We have full confidence in the host country and we also know that Russia and the Russian services are working closely with different international services to ensure that all the participants and spectators of the Olympic Games can feel safe and secure,” said Bach, denying that the security clampdown would ruin the atmosphere of the Games.

Comparing the situation to that of the 2002 event in Salt Lake City, which took place months after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, Bach added: “I think that the Russian security forces will handle in this way that it does not affect the Olympic atmosphere like, for instance, the security officers in Salt Lake City managed.”

Bach denied the latest corruption allegations to emerge over the construction of Games venues had tainted the IOC following a publication by activist Alexei Navalny — who finished second in Moscow’s mayoral election last year — on Monday claiming at least 10 of them cost twice as much as necessary.

Asked what fears did keep him up at night ahead of his first Games as the most powerful man in world sport, Bach replied: “Sorry to tell you I’m sleeping very well.

“Fear is a very bad advisor and it’s not a category in which I think. I knew about the challenges of this office as president before I decided to run.

“I’m looking forward now to this first Winter Games under my presidency and I’m very, very confident that they will be successful.”