By Duncan Mackay

IOC President Thomas Bach is confident that Vladimir Putin's Russia will host a very successful Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty ImagesJanuary 27 - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach claimed today that fears over security at Sochi 2014 or any of the major rows that have overshadowed the build-up to the Games are not giving him any serious concerns. 


Questioned about security issues, as well as allegations about corruption, overspending and Russia's anti-gay propaganda laws, Bach was asked what issues were keeping him awake at night. 

"Sorry to tell you I'm sleeping very well," Bach told reporters during a teleconference from the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne.

"Fear is a very bad advisor and not a category in which I think.

"I am really looking forward to first Winter Games under my Presidency.

"I'm very confident they will be very successful."

Security is potentially the most serious problem Sochi 2014 faces with a number of terrorism threats having been issued already and several attacks across Russia, including two deadly suicide bombings in Volgograd last month which killed 34 people and injured more than 100.

"We have full confidence in the host country that what has been done in the last few years, particularly the past couple of months, to secure the Olympic area," said Bach.

"You can be sure that the Russians will be doing everything possible to welcome people and make them feel comfortable. 

"The Russians have been working with other international services in order to ensure, in particular, the athletes, but also the spectators, can feel safe and secure."

Thomas Bach believes the Russians will be aiming to make "everyone feel comfortable" at Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty ImagesThomas Bach believes the Russians will be aiming to make "everyone feel comfortable" at Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty Images

The German, elected last September to replace Jacques Rogge as President, also expressed confidence that Russia will not discriminate against anyone despite the country's controversial anti-gay propaganda law introduced last year.

Bach also warned athletes that if they use the Games as an opportunity to protest against the laws - or anything else - then they faced being punished.

But that the IOC would not stop them speaking their minds.

"It is very clear the Games cannot be used as a stage for political demonstrations however good the cause may be," he said.

"The IOC will take, if necessary, individual decisions based on individual cases.

"It is also clear on the other hand the athletes enjoy the freedom of speech so if in a press conference they wanted to make a political statement then they are absolutely free to do so."

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