Athletes row over anti-gay law

British heptathlete Louise Hazel told ITV News she is unconvinced by pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva's attempt to distance herself from "discriminatory" remarks about Russia's anti-gay law.

The spokesperson for the Russian pole vault world champion Yelena Isinbayeva has told ITV News the athlete is not against gay people and that her comments have been misunderstood.

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva has said she may have been "misunderstood" when she made comments condemning homosexuality, according to the Associated Press.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist appeared to back off her comments at the World Championships, after criticising two Swedish athletes who protested against the Russian law banning the promotion of homosexuality.

She said: "English is not my first language and I think I may have been misunderstood when I spoke yesterday.

"I respect the views of my fellow athletes and let me state in the strongest terms that I am opposed to any discrimination against gay people."

British heptathlete Louise Hazel has criticised Russia's pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva after she spoke out in support of Russia's controversial laws on homosexuality.

The Prime Minister said last week that he believes it would be "better to challenge prejudice as we attend" the Winter Olympics in Russia, as calls from athletes to boycott it over its anti-gay laws continue.

Russia's pole vault world champion Yelena Isinbayeva defended the country's controversial new law, however, British heptathlete Louise Hazel said the Russian's position as ambassador for the Youth Olympics was now "ridiculous".

In response to a letter Stephen Fry wrote urging him to back the boycott, David Cameron wrote on Twitter: "I share your deep concern about the abuse of gay people in Russia...However, I believe we can better challenge prejudice as we attend, rather than boycotting the Winter Olympics".

Read: Stephen Fry urges Sochi Olympics ban

The International Olympic Committee is facing calls to remove pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva from her ambassadorial role after she spoke out in support of Russia's controversial laws on homosexuality.

Her comments have attracted widespread criticism from athletes, including British heptathlete Louise Hazel, who said the Russian's position as ambassador for the Youth Olympics was now "ridiculous".

"They (the IOC) should definitely be revising her position as an ambassador," Hazel, who won gold at the 2011 Commonwealth Games, told BBC Sport. "That just seems ridiculous to me.

"I think it should be their first point of call after the [World] Championships are over."

Isinbayeva criticised two Swedish athletes for making statements against Russia's new law, which makes it illegal to give under-18s information about homosexuality.

Russia's pole vault world champion Yelena Isinbayeva has defended the country's controversial new anti-gay law.

The double Olympic gold medallist, widely regarded as the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time, said Russians were "normal, standard people".

"We just live boys with women, girls with boys... it comes from history," said the 31-year-old at a press conference.

"Maybe we are different than European people and people from different lands."

Isinbayeva also criticised two Swedish athletes who protested against the Russian law banning the promotion of homosexuality by painting their nails in the colour of the rainbow flag.

"It's disrespectful to our country, disrespectful to our citizens because we are Russians. We have our law which everyone has to respect. When we go to different countries, we try to follow their rules," the Russian athlete said.

Read: High jumper paints nails rainbow colours at Moscow

A Swedish high jumper has come under fire after she competed at the IAAF World Championships with her fingernails painted in rainbow colours to show support for Russia's gay community.

Emma Green Tregaro, who took bronze at the 2005 Championships, posted a picture of her fingers on Instagram with the message, "Nails painted in the colours of the rainbow #pride #moscow2013".

"It felt right," Green Tregaro told reporters after competing at the Moscow event. "I wouldn't say it was a protest more of a statement of what I think."

Read: Athletes told to calm down over Russia's new anti-gay laws