Google’s rainbow doodle ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics (Picture: Google)

Google has taken a swipe at Russia over its stance on gay rights with a rainbow coloured doodle as the Winter Olympics get underway in Sochi.

The internet giant transformed its homepage into a show of support for gay rights with a Google Doodle depicting athletes against a rainbow-coloured backdrop.

Below the logo is a two-sentence section of the Olympic charter that begins: ‘The practice of sport is a human right.

‘Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.’




The US company declined to comment on the new Google Doodle that appeared on its home pages worldwide, saying it wanted the illustration to speak for itself.

Austria’s Reinhard Egger goes round a bend during luge training at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games (Picture: PA)

Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin called for sponsors to condemn the anti-gay laws signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin in July.

‘Google has made a clear and unequivocal statement that Russia’s anti-LGBT discrimination is indefensible,’ he said.

‘Now it’s time for each and every remaining Olympic sponsor to follow their lead. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching.’