By Emily Goddard at The University of Bath

team gb logoAugust 9 - The British Olympic Association (BOA) has admitted it is "closely monitoring" the situation in Russia in the wake of protests against the nation's new anti-gay bill with less than six months to go to Sochi 2014.

"Clearly it is a situation that we are monitoring closely," Darryl Seibel, the BOA's director of communications, said here today.

"Our primary contact is the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

"They are working with Sochi 2014 and the Russian Government.

"In the last five days we've seen contradictory statements from senior Russian officials so we are in regular contact with the IOC.

"We are relying on them to get the facts we need to shape our planning.

"It's up to the IOC to provide us with the clarity that we need...and they'll do that."

Russia's anti-gay bill, signed by President Vladimir Putin in June, imposes fines on individuals accused of spreading "propaganda of homosexuality" and imposes sanctions on those holding gay pride rallies.

russia lgbt protestProtesters have been holding demonstrations against Russia's new anti-gay legislation

The new law has since sparked a negative global reaction, with activist groups, senior sport officials and even United States President Barack Obama criticising the move.

Seibel claimed that no athletes had come forward with concerns about the new law but when asked if the National Olympic Committee would support an athlete considering a boycott he added that the BOA "would never compel an athlete to compete in an environment they're not happy with".

"This won't be the first time as a delegation that we go into a country where the laws are different to our own," he said.

"Athletes are adept at dealing with different situations."

IOC President Jacques Rogge said today that he is waiting for more clarifications from the Russian Government on the law.

"The Olympic charter is clear," Rogge insisted.

"A sport is a human right and it should be available to all, regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation."

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