LONDON — IOC vice president Craig Reedie says the strained relations between Russia and the United States should not affect the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Reedie downplays President Barack Obama's decision Wednesday to call off a Moscow summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month. The move follows Russia's decision to grant asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.
Relations between the two countries are also strained over missile defense, human rights, Syria and other issues.
Reedie tells The Associated Press "if there are political tensions rising, it wouldn't be the first time before an Olympic Games, and in the main, Olympic Games overcome political tensions."
The heightened tension comes six months before the start of the Olympics in Sochi, a Black Sea resort in southern Russia.
