Russian president brings country's laws in line with international best practices for Paralympics, Olympics

From Around the Rings:

The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, has signed a law bringing relevant national legislation into line with international best practices for nations hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The new law makes amendments to existing Russian legislation, covering the organization of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games and procedures for entry to and exit from Russia.

The updated legislation ensures the Paralympic Games has equal status to the Olympic Games. Currently, the organization of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is regulated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), in accordance with the IOC Olympic Charter and the IPC Handbook. Previously Russia’s laws have made reference to the IOC Olympic Charter and not to the IPC Handbook, now covered by the new amendments.

The new law will also result in a number of positive practical results, including the introduction of the concept of a ‘Paralympic Identification and Accreditation Card’, which will be issued by the IPC and the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee. This card will allow members of the Paralympic Family, including athletes, to enter Russia without a visa. This facility was already established for the Olympic Family.

The law was accepted by the State Duma on 5 June 2009 and approved by the Council of the Russian Federation on 17 June 2009.