Two female Russian athletes were photographed kissing on the podium following their gold medal triumph at the World Athletics Championships amid the controversy surrounding the country's anti-gay law.

President Vladimir Putin pushed through a law in June stating that it is illegal to give under-18s information about homosexuality, causing uproar among activists.

Kseniya Ryzhova and Tatyana Firova kissed on the lips when receiving their gold medals for winning the 4x400m race yesterday, but the Russian team have denied that the kiss was a protest against the new law, according to the Daily Mail.

Last week Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva claimed that she was "misunderstood" when appearing to come out in support of the new legislation.