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 Principle 6 says sport does not discriminate on any grounds,
including race, religion, politics or gender.
The IOC had to fend off criticism in the run-up to the Sochi Winter
Olympics over Russia's anti-gay propaganda law, which critics say
curtailed the rights of homosexuals in the country.
They say the IOC has turned a blind eye to the controversial law,
which was passed last year.
The law triggered a wave of reaction from athletes and politicians
with several world leaders opting not to travel to Russia for the
Games.
The IOC has said it cannot dictate laws in a sovereign state but
said it had received assurances from Russian President Vladimir
Putin there would be no discrimination against homosexuals during
the February 7-23 Games.
"We have made it absolutely crystal clear that Principle 6 covers
all forms of discrimination," IOC spokesman Mark Adams told
reporters when asked whether it could become a pre-condition for
cities campaigning to host the Games.
"Could it be changed? It can be changed," he said.
"We are, as you know, in the middle of Agenda 2020 which is looking
at just about everything on how Olympics are run," Adams said.
IOC President Thomas Bach has launched a wide-ranging review of the
Olympics as well as the bidding processes called Agenda 2020. "It (Principle 6) is not something that is specifically looked at
but if there is a groundswell of opinion it could be."
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Pressure has grown to include such a clause in the bid rules for
future Olympics that would block nations from getting the Games if
discriminatory laws existed.
Current and former athletes, including former tennis champion
Martina Navratilova as well as pop star Rihanna, are among the big
names to have publicly spoken out in favor of Principle 6.
"IOC President Thomas Bach must learn the lesson from the anti-gay
fiasco in Russia and ensure this never happens again," said Andre
Banks, co-founder and Executive Director of All Out, an
international gay rights group.
"We are calling on Bach to make upholding the Olympic Principle of
non-discrimination a binding condition for all future Olympic host
applications," he said.
Ukraine's Lviv, Beijing, Norwegian capital Oslo, Poland's Krakow and
Kazakhstan's Almaty are in the running for the 2022 Winter Olympics
with a decision to be made next year.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann)
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