Russian Official Says Timing of Anti-Gay Law is a Mistake

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Russia's sports minister says passing the gay "propaganda" law that sparked calls for boycotting the Sochi Olympics was a mistake - not because of its contents but because of its timing.

Vitaly Mutko is quoted by the RBK business newspaper as saying: "Perhaps the state authorities should have waited a little. ... It was possible to calculate how much resonance it would cause in the West, especially in the run-up to the Sochi Olympics."

The law passed in June bans distributing so-called propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships to minors. It does not define propaganda.

Mutko also was quoted Monday as saying foreign opposition to the law reflects resentment of Russia's strength.