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Prime Minister Stephen Harper won’t be attending the Winter Olympics in Sochi, his office said Wednesday.

The news comes amid continuing controversy over Russia’s treatment of gays, although Mr. Harper’s spokesman, Jason MacDonald, played down any political motive for the decision.

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“I can confirm that the Prime Minister will not be attending the Games. He normally does not attend (Vancouver was an exception because the Games were here at home),” Mr. MacDonald said in an email to Postmedia News.

“There will be an announcement in the coming weeks regarding who will represent or attend on behalf of the Government of Canada.”

Other world leaders have taken symbolic steps to show disapproval for Russia’s treatment of gays and lesbians. U.S. President Barack Obama announced that two openly gay American athletes would be part of the U.S. delegation to Sochi, Russia, for the February games. As well, no former presidents or vice-presidents will be in the U.S. delegation.