U.S. President Barack Obama says that he expects Russia to welcome gay and lesbian athletes to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Obama cancelled a planned September meeting in Moscow on Wednesday in a diplomatic rebuke over Russias harbouring of NSA leaker Edward Snowden, having also said in a television interview hours earlier that he had "no patience" with countries who discriminate against gay people. "I think (President Vladimir) Putin and Russia have a big stake in making sure the Olympics work," Obama said Tuesday night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "And I think they understand that for most of the countries that participate in the Olympics, we wouldnt tolerate gays and lesbians being treated differently. "And if Russia wants to uphold the Olympic spirit, then every judgment should be made on the track, or in the swimming pool, or on the balance beam, and peoples sexual orientation shouldnt have anything to do with it." There have been a few calls for a boycott of the Sochi Games, after a law signed by Putin last month banned the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" and imposed fines for providing information about the gay community to minors or holding gay pride rallies. Foreign citizens arrested under the law can be jailed for 15 days and then deported. Going into next years games in Russia, theres also concern about a long-running problem of violence against gays, as well as a new law restricting adoptions of Russian children by people in countries allowing same-sex marriage. The IOC said it has received assurances "from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games." The sporting body also pledged to ensure there would be no discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media in Sochi. However, the Human Rights Campaign, a leading U.S. gay-rights group, said the IOC should take a stronger stand. "They should be advocating for the safety of all LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people in Russia, not simply those visiting for the Olympics," said HRC President Chad Griffin earlier this month. "Rescinding this heinous law must be our collective goal." Files from The Associated Press were used for this report. Wholesale Air Max 97 China . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Cheap Air Max 97 Free Shipping . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. http://www.cheapairmax97china.com/ . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Cheap Air Max 97 . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Cheap Air Max 97 China . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. SAN FRANCISCO -- Buster Posey homered for his 1,000th hit, Hunter Pence also went deep one batter later and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 12-3 on Tuesday night.Brandon Crawford tripled twice for San Francisco, which remained a half-game behind the Mets for the top NL wild card and one game up on the Cardinals for the second spot.Matt Moore (12-12) matched his career high with 11 strikeoutss over 7 2/3 innings, rebounding from his worst start this season.ddddddddddddPosey and Pence hit consecutive solo shots, the fifth time the Giants have had back-to-back homers this year. Each player drove in two runs on the night. Conor Gillaspie added a two-run homer in the eighth. ' ' '