Russian president Vladimir Putin visits the American base in Sochi to defuse rumours of tension between himself and Barack Obama, who is not attending the Winter Olympics.

Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the American camp in Sochi on Friday despite Barack Obama's no-show at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

It is the first time in over a decade that the US have not sent the president, vice president or first lady as part of the Olympic delegation.

Instead, Obama selected three openly gay former athletes, Billie Jean King, Brian Boitano and Caitlin Cahow, to represent America in Russia, a decision which is thought to have angered Putin further.

However, the 61-year-old move to alleviate rumours of tension between the two nations by dropping in on the American athletes and their families at their Sochi base on Friday afternoon.

Putin was handed three gift bags, which included the Nike training suit worn by the US athletes and some Valentine's Day-themed gifts.

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