Mario Pescante, a senior Italian IOC member, blasted the U.S. for sending gay people in its delegation to the Sochi Olympic Games, the AP reports:

''It's absurd that a country like that sends four lesbians to Russia just to demonstrate that in their country gay rights have (been established),'' Mario Pescante said at an Italian Olympic Committee meeting in Milan on Wednesday, in comments widely reported by Italian media. ''The games should not be an occasion and a stage to promote rights that sports supports daily.''

Pescante later clarified his remarks, saying he's not homophobic:

''Of course not…I just wanted to make the point not to let politics interfere with the Olympics.''

At last count there were two out lesbians and a gay man included in the delegation.

Obama announced last month that gay athletes Billie Jean King, Brian Boitano and Caitlin Cahow would be in the official delegation to Sochi and he wouldn't be attending.

King spoke with Stephen Colbert about her role in the delegation, saying she did not plan to protest but would answer questions if asked, and when warned she might go to jail for it, said, "I'll take that chance."