MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered new assurances to gay athletes and fans attending the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics next month. Phil Dawson Womens Jersey . Yet he defended Russias anti-gay law by equating gays with pedophiles and said Russia needs to "cleanse" itself of homosexuality if it wants to increase its birth rate. Putins comments in an interview broadcast Sunday with Russian and foreign television stations showed the wide gulf between the perception of homosexuality in Russia versus the West. A Russian law passed last year banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" among minors has caused an international outcry. Putin refused to answer a question from the BBC on whether he believes that people are born gay or become gay. The Russian law, however, suggests that information about homosexuality can influence a childs sexual orientation. The law has contributed to growing animosity toward gays in Russian society, with rights activists reporting a rise in harassment and abuse. International worries about how gays will be treated in Sochi have been met with assurances from Russian officials and Olympics organizers that there will be no discrimination, and Putin reiterated that stance. "There are no fears for people with this nontraditional orientation who plan to come to Sochi as guests or participants," Putin declared in the TV interview. He said the law was aimed at banning propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia, suggesting that gays are more likely to abuse children. Making another favourite argument against homosexuality, Putin noted with pride that Russia saw more births than deaths last year for the first time in two decades. Population growth is vital for Russias development and "anything that gets in the way of that we should clean up," he said, using a word usually reserved for military operations. The law on propaganda has been used to justify barring gay pride rallies on the grounds that children might see them. This has raised the question of how athletes and fans would be treated for any gay-rights protests during the Olympics. When asked about this by the ABC TV channel, Putin said protests against the law itself would not be considered propaganda. Putin then hit back, accusing the United States of double standards in its criticism of Russia, pointing to laws that remain on the books in some U.S. states classifying gay sex as a crime. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, ruled in 2003 that such laws were unconstitutional. Homosexuality was a crime in the entire former Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991. It was decriminalized in Russia in 1993. The Sochi Winter Olympics run Feb. 7-23. Jerry Rice Jersey . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Phil Dawson 49ers Jersey . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. http://www.the49ersauthentic.com/Red-Arik-Armstead-49ers-Jersey/ . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season.NEW YORK -- Joe Girardis return as manager of the New York Yankees was all about family. Girardi signed a four-year contract that could be worth up to $20 million Wednesday to stay with New York through 2017. With the Yankees missing out on the playoffs this season for the second time in 19 years, the 48-year-old Girardi got an early start on determining his future. He went over several possible scenarios with his wife, Kim, and three children that included taking a year off, pursuing a broadcasting job or managing somewhere else. But they quickly came to the conclusion that six years in New York was not enough. "It wasnt ever a lot of thought that I might not possibly come back. I just had to make sure that everyone was still on board," Girardi said on a conference call. Girardi was in the final month of his second three-year contract (worth $9 million) with the Yankees since taking over for Joe Torre after the 2007 season, and he asked for a fourth year in the new deal. The contract includes $16 million guaranteed and up to $4 million in bonuses, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details were not announced. "Our lives have been here for six years," Girardi said. "I think stability is important." The pull of returning to his native Illinois to manage the Chicago Cubs, the team he grew up rooting for, did not factor greatly into his decision because once his family agreed he should manage it was set on New York. "Chicago is special to me. And I think itll always be special to me," Girardi said. "But this place is really special to me, too. Because of what Ive experienced here. ... And my kids and my wife are established in the community here. We just thought it was important to stay." In a 15-year career as a catcher, Girardi won three World Series titles with the Yankees from 1996-99. As manager, he has led New York to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, winning the World Series in 2009. Under Girardi, the big-spending Yankees have gone a major league-best 564-408 (.580) since 2008. Even though New York finished tied for third in the AL East at 85-77, Girardi had what many believed was his best seasonn as a manager. Jaquiski Tartt Youth Jersey. . He kept the Yankees in the playoff chase until late September despite significant injuries to stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. "I wouldnt have come back if I didnt think we could win a championship," Girardi said. "I know theres a lot of work to be done. I know theres a lot of holes that we have to fill. Theres people leaving and people retiring. But I have faith in our organization." Girardi is sticking with a team that places the utmost premium on winning championships but is entering the off-season with uncharacteristic uncertainty. Girardi thinks it may be the most uncertain time during his tenure in New York. "It was something that I definitely thought about. What would the New York Yankees look like in 2014, and beyond?" he said. Quite different, it turns out. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte just retired, Jeter played only 17 games this year after breaking his ankle last October and A-Rod is appealing a 211-game suspension. All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent, as are pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and Granderson. Cano could be seeking a 10-year contract worth up to $305 million. Also, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said the team is determined to get under next years $189 million luxury tax threshold -- which includes about $177 million for player salaries. General manager Brian Cashman, though, recently said its unclear if staying within that limit is possible. "I think $189 millions still an awful lofty number," Girardi said. He acknowledged the Yankees will have to mix in players from their minor league teams to help remake the roster. Steinbrenner has expressed disappointment in the farm system after several players failed to produce when thrust into major league roles this year. But Girardi, the NL Manager of the Year in 2006 when he led a young Florida Marlins team to a 78-84 record in his first year as a manager, is hopeful. "We want to see these guys move, and move quickly," Girardi said. "And youd like to be able to say you have a core again of young players, which I think would be important to this organization." wholesale jerseys wholesale nfl jerseys china jerseys from china nfl jerseys cheap authentic cheap jerseys ' ' '