President Barack Obama has admitted that the official USA delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi is aimed at 'making it very clear that we do not abide by discrimination', including sexual orientation.
The United States premier, who will not be attending the Winter Games opening ceremony later on today, also dismissed reports claiming that his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'icy'.
Speaking to NBC, Obama said: "One of the wonderful things about the Olympics is that you are judged by your merit. How good you are regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love and that I think is consistent with the spirit of the Olympics. It is certainly consistent with American values and we want to make sure the people understand that."
On the subject of his relationship with Putin, the former Illinois senator explained: "I wouldn't call it icy... The truth of the matter is that when we are in meetings there are a lot of exchanges, there's a surprising amount of humor, and a lot of give and take.
"He does have a public style where he likes to sit back and look a little bored during the course of joint interviews. I think that's where some of these perceptions come up. My sense is that's part of his shtick back home politically as wanting to look like the tough guy."
In addition to Obama, David Cameron and Francois Hollande, premiers of the United Kingdom and France respectively, will also be absent from the Sochi curtain-raiser.
