New Russian Law Upholds Paralympic Standards

The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games recently announced the introduction of IOC and IPC standards to Russia's national legal system. A new law assuring the status of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was drafted in Russia's State Duma on 28 October. 07 Nov 2008 By IPC

These major developments for disability sport and awareness will benefit the 11 million Russians living with a disability. The 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will help their continued integration into society - promoting public awareness and improving their quality of life. The assistance, treatment and rehabilitation of people with a disability are major priorities in Russia, as demonstrated by the country's adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in September 2008.

Mikhail Terentiev, Russian Paralympic champion, Secretary General of the National Paralympic Committee and Sochi 2014 Supervisory Board member, said: "The new draft law gives us an opportunity to attract public attention to the Paralympic Movement, as well as helping to secure a lasting legacy for people with a disability in Russia and beyond. The Paralympic Games are held under the supervision of the IPC according to its Handbook. We are pleased that the IPC's standards will help Sochi 2014 to be an innovative and inspirational Paralympic Games, and will aid this country's social and sporting progress.”

For more information, please visit the official website of Sochi 2014 at www.sochi2014.com.