Olympic Newsdesk -- Medvedev Honors Paralympians; Pan Am Games Inspection

Medvedev Wants Access for All in Sochi

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev would like individuals with disabilities to have full access to Sochi 2014 venues.

During a Kremlin ceremony honoring the 2010 Russian Winter Paralympic Team, Medvedev said he talked with Sochi organizers about access and training for Paralympians.

"Our country will host the Winter Paralympic Games in 2014. We need to ensure that Sochi provides people with disabilities full and free access to all of the Olympic events, to all of the sports and recreation facilities," Medvedev said in his speech.

"In other words, we need to ensure not just a normal barrier-free environment, but also a normal sports environment. This will set new accessibility standards that will serve as an example for the whole country, where, as I said, we still have a long way to go in this respect."

Russian Paralympians topped the medal table at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics. Medvedev awarded 2010 medalists state decorations on Friday.

Russia also finished first at the 2006 Turin Games.

Annecy Business Group Forms

More than 1,200 CEOs attended the launch of Club 2018 in support of the Annecy bid for the Winter Olympics.

Club 2018 encourages small and medium size businesses to support the French bid. It is open to all companies in and outside of France.

Club 2018 is not part of the official marketing program for the bid. Club 2018 companies will not be listed as a sponsor, but they will receive ad space on the bid Web site and other benefits.

Annecy is competing for the 2018 Winter Games against Munich and PyeongChang. IOC members will select a host city in 2011.

During the Club 2018 launch ceremony, French Minister of Health and Sports Roselyne Bachelot told the crowd that the government will invest $4.7 million into the bid.

"It is the state’s duty, along with the financial partners and the athletes, to uphold this magnificent bid project," she said.

Pan Am Games Inspection

Organizers of the 2011 Guadalajara Pan Am Games are preparing for an inspection by the Pan American Sports Organization next week

PASO vice president Michael Fennel will lead the PASO Technical Committee to the city next Tuesday and Wednesday. Guadalajara 2011 director of Operations and Sports Ivar Sisniega told Around the Rings that the PASO visit will mainly focus on technical issues such as the exact events for non-Olympic disciplines, the men’s football age division and quotas for each sport.

The inspection will be the last before the PASO General Assembly that will take place in Merida, Mexico May 5-8. With the Games 18 months away, organizers are feeling deadlines to deliver venues on time.

Although construction is underway for most venues, there is not a definite site for the Pan American Stadium. Earlier this week, Guadalajara 2011 general director Carlos Andrade Garin said the committee is looking at three sites for the stadium.

"The Sports Infrastructure is going very well," Garin said.

"The only pending issue is the Athletics Stadium and in the next few days, the Governor will tell me where it will be built. We have three options: El Disparate, which has been cleared and is a viable option. We're just going to measure the construction timetable. The environmental studies have been completed and the project has been given to the construction company. Payment for the tracks has been made to a German company. All is on time."

Sisniega said on Friday that he expects work to begin on the stadium beforethePASO General Assembly in May.

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Written by Sam Steinberg.