NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia -- President Vladimir Putin sought to ease concerns that Russias new anti-gay law would be used to punish athletes who display rainbow flags during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, while insisting that gays are not discriminated against in his country. "I assure you that I work with these people, I sometimes award them with state prizes or decorations for their achievements in various fields," Putin said in an interview with The Associated Press and Russias state Channel 1 television late Tuesday. "We have absolutely normal relations, and I dont see anything out of the ordinary here." He added that Russians love Tchaikovsky even though the composer was said to have been a homosexual. "Truth be told, we dont love him because of that, but he was a great musician and we all love his music," Putin said. Putin offered to meet with members of the gay and lesbian community if they asked to see him. The law on "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," which Putin signed in July, makes it illegal to expose minors to information that portrays these relationships as normal or attractive. The law imposes hefty fines, while also subjecting foreign citizens to up to 15 days in prison. While Russian officials have reassured the International Olympic Committee that Russia will not discriminate against homosexuals during the Feb. 7-23 Sochi Games, they also have said that the law will be enforced. This has left open the question of what would happen to athletes or fans if they made statements or gestures that could be considered propaganda. In the interview at his country residence outside Moscow, Putin said that they would not be punished. But he clearly has no intention of allowing a gay pride parade during the Olympics. Last month, he signed a decree banning all demonstrations and rallies in Sochi throughout the Winter Games. Putin said he had full confidence in Russias special services and law enforcement agencies to provide security during the games. Sochi sits just west of Russias North Caucasus, where an Islamic insurgency is simmering. "Terrorists are always a threat to someone," he said. "If well be scared of them, it means they have won. But that doesnt mean we can have a devil-may-care attitude toward this threat. We must do everything to stop these threats and not give the terrorists a single chance to demonstrate their brutality and hatred of mankind." Nmd r2 Canada . Signs of a turnaround have emerged in this series at Minnesota. Brian Roberts had three doubles and a triple for the first four-extra-base-hit game of his 14-year career, and the Yankees used their bullpen to preserve a 6-5 win over the Twins on Friday. Yeezy 500 Canada . Their 9-19 record remains identical to the crosstown rivals in Brooklyn and trails both Toronto and Boston in the Atlantic Division. Raymond Felton, their declining point guard, is back on the sideline nursing his third injury of the season. http://www.yeezyshoescanada.com/canada-yeezy-boost-350.html . The Toronto Blue Jays general manager made a series of bold moves that reshaped the club ahead of what would turn out to be a disastrous 2013 campaign. Cheap Nmd Canada . The second-ranked Jayhawks will play the Miners of Texas-El Paso at Imperial Arena in the Bahamas. The game can be seen live on TSN2 starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. Ultra Boost 19 Canada . -- Byron Scott is taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with the vocal support of his fellow Showtime greats.In the aftermath of Torontos franchise-altering seven player deal that sent Rudy Gay to Sacramento, TSN 1050s Josh Lewenberg and Duane Watson look ahead to Masai Ujiris next move on the Raptors Report Podcast. This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence.dddddddddddd Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. 11 Raptors Report Podcast ' ' '