IOC president criticizes politicians

IOC president Thomas Bach has criticized politicians for attacking the Sochi Olympics “on the backs of the athletes.” Bach (pictured, left, with Russian president Vladimir Putin) has also slammed politicians who publicly snubbed the games even though they had not even been invited. Bach spoke in a hard-hitting speech Tuesday, three days before the opening of Russia’s first Winter Games. The buildup to Sochi has been overshadowed by Western criticism of Russia’s record on human rights and the law against gay “propaganda” among minors. Bach says sports should not be “used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests.” President Barack Obama and key European leaders are shunning the games. – Associated Press