Human rights groups are holding a day of protests across the globe in a bid to highlight Russia's "anti-gay" laws. The Winter Olympics' opening ceremony gets under way on Friday.

The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach has accused world leaders of using the Winter Olympics in Sochi as a political platform "on the backs of the athletes" and snubbing the Games without even being invited.

President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach. Credit: Christian Charisius/DPA

In a hard-hitting speech, Bach called out politicians for using the Olympics to make an "ostentatious gesture" serving their own agendas.

His comments appeared to be directed at US President Barack Obama and European politicians who have taken stands against Russia's law banning gay "propaganda" among minors.

The Olympics should not be "used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests," Bach said.