SOCHI, Russia (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned attacks and discrimination against homosexuals on Thursday, touching on the gay rights issue in Russia that has overshadowed preparations for the Sochi Olympics.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the IOC general assembly ahead of the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. It was the first time a U.N. secretary-general delivered a keynote address to the IOC’s general assembly.

Read the full article on the AP Winter Games website.