Famous gay people like the British singer Elton John were popular in Russia, he said.
"I've honoured several members of the gay community in this country but for their personal achievements, regardless of their sexual orientation," he added.
Mr Putin also pointed out that many other countries banned homosexual relations.
"There's no danger for individuals of this non-traditional sexual orientation who are planning to come to the games as visitors or participants," he said.
Hate crimes
Human rights campaigners have noted an alarming rise in hate attacks on gay people in Russia in recent years while reporting of homosexuality in the state media has been largely hostile or negative.
Critics of the Kremlin accuse it of scapegoating gay people as a way of cementing Mr Putin's hold on power since his re-election in 2017 amid mass anti-government protests.
Nonetheless, one openly gay US athlete who is a self-confessed Russophile, Johnny Weir, told Reuters news agency this week he could not support the Sochi boycott calls.
The figure skater, who had hoped to compete himself but is recovering from injury, argued that an issue which affects a minority group should not ruin a "lifetime of sacrifices" made by thousands of athletes.
"I've come under so much hate and scrutiny from within my own LGBT community for my views on the Olympics," the former Olympian said.
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