Sochi 2014 Sees Accessibility as Priority

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co-ordination Commission for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ended its third visit to the city, putting accessibility as one of the priorities for the upcoming Paralympic programme. 15 Apr 2010 By IPC

"The priority for the upcoming months will be the implementation of the barrier-free programme, including full accessibility reviews for all competition and non-competition venues", Mr. Kostopoulos said.

Representing the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) were IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Governing Board member Miguel Sagarra and Paralympic Games Senior Manager Thanos Kostopoulos who said that the future Winter Games host city is showing very good progress.

"After the conclusion of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, the focus is now on Sochi. The priority for the upcoming months will be the implementation of the barrier-free programme, including full accessibility reviews for all competition and non-competition venues", Mr. Kostopoulos said. "We are extremely happy with the passion, dedication and commitment to the project that the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee continues to show."

Some of the topics of discussion for the Paralympic working group included the plans for the Paralympic Family hotel, the mountain Athletes’ Village, Paralympic Sport development in Russia , transportation plans and the accessibility barrier-free programme.

The IOC Co-ordination Commission had the opportunity during the visit to tour the venues in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana, as well as look at the progress in a number of Games-related areas including sport, athlete services, media services, transport and culture.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, said: "We would like to express our gratitude for the time and effort that the IOC Coordination Commission has spent in Sochi to ensure that Russia’s first Winter Games is on track. Across the board, rapid progress is being made in our preparations to host the most innovative Winter Games ever. We will deliver on all our promises."

The Commission was led by Chairperson Jean-Claude Killy, who said after the meetings that it was awe-inspiring work that is being undertaken in the Sochi region.

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will be held from 7-16 March 2014.

For more information about the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, please visit www.sochi2014.com