Confident Putin pledges hospitality

President Vladimir Putin has pledged that Russia will prove a hospitable host of the Winter Olympic Games which open in three days in Sochi amid a litany of concerns about its suitability as a venue.

Putin arrived in the Sochi region on Tuesday ahead of Friday's opening ceremony in typically confident mood, taking top IOC members to meet leopards being bred in the Sochi region as part of a re-introduction program.

But analysts have said that Putin has staked his personal reputation on the success of the Games, which have been inextricably linked with his name ever since he spearheaded the successful Russian bid in 2007.

The Games have in particular been shadowed by concerns over the implementation in Sochi of a Russian law against "gay propaganda" to minors, as well as security concerns due to the proximity of the region to the violence-plagued Northern Caucasus.

But Putin assured International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach that all guests would feel comfortable at Russia's Olympics.

"I want to assure you that we will do everything so that Sochi is a hospitable home for all the participants, for all the guests," Putin told Bach as he met members of the IOC in Sochi.

"The main task is to make the Sochi Games a celebration for all sport lovers in the world," Putin added.

"We will do everything to hold the Olympic Games at the very highest level," he said.