Russia's state-run TV channels have been hit with criticism after Tokyo 2020 LGBT+ athletes, including Team GB gold medal winner Tom Daley, were subject to homophobic and transphobic abuse during commentary.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the use of slurs during commentary, saying it had 'no place at the Olympic Games'.
In a statement to the BBC, the IOC said: "We have been in contact with our contractual broadcasting partner in Russia in order to get clarity on the situation and to underline the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and we are following up accordingly."
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The statement went on: "Discrimination has absolutely no place at the Olympic Games. We welcome that Tokyo 2020 has embedded diversity and inclusion in the Olympic Games model."
Russian TV aired numerous homophobic comments and has seen hosts and guest referring to LGBT+ athletes as 'psychopaths' as well as saying they are a 'perversion' and 'abomination'.
Among those targeted were New Zealand's Laurel Hubbard and Daley - who won a gold in the men's synchronised diving.
During an episode of Rossiya 1's 60 Minutes broadcast last month, panellist Alexei Zhuravlyov, who is a member of the Russian parliament, said he was 'disgusted' by gay and transgender people.
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When an image of Hubbard appeared on a screen, he said: "We stand opposed to all this smut and perversion, strongly opposed.
"We stand against this abomination."
While on Channel One, host Anatoly Kuzichev wore a wig while mocking Hubbard.
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Russia has been banned from entering this year's Olympic Games over state-sponsored doping, however, more than around 330 Russian athletes have been given permission to compete, but they are not permitted to use the Russian flag or national anthem.
The athletes compete under the name Russian Olympic Committee and if the word 'Russia' is on their kit, it must also include the words 'neutral athlete'.
According to the International Olympic Committee: "All public displays of the organisation's participant name should use the acronym ROC, not the full name Russian Olympic Committee."
Daley has previously revealed he avoided entering a competition in Russia shortly after coming out as he felt it 'too risky' to compete in a country where discrimination against the LGBT+ community is common.
He told Shortlist magazine: "I skipped a competition in Russia in 2014. It was in the wake of my coming out. I thought it was too risky and unsafe.
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"Then, when everyone got back, I really kicked myself for not going. I'd let other people rule by fear."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: SPORT