Olympic Organizers Brief IPC General Assembly

(ATR) The Sochi Winter Paralympics could mean a barrier-free Russia for the disabled.

At the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly in Beijing, both IPC president Philip Craven and Sochi 2014 president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko outlined changes expected to come to the host country as a result of the Games.

"Already in Sochi we are seeing some significant changes taking place in Russian society," Craven said over the weekend.

"The work they have undertaken in creating a barrier free law in Russia is a significant step for which they are to be congratulated."

Chernyshenko reiterated Sunday that the Games are an opportunity to improve the lives of disabled Russians.

"Sochi 2014 has given Russia a unique chance to change for the better, and we are taking that chance," he said.

"The creation of a barrier free environment is priority number one for us. It has been approved by the Russian government and more than 20 states are now involved in projects."

During the conference, Chernyshenko and other organizers updated the audience on the progress of the next four Games.

Preparations for the Sochi Paralympics are well underway with a staff of 600 and test events starting next February, according to Chernyshenko. Sponsorship revenues are at more than $99 million.

"Sochi 2014 is holding more than the Paralympic Games. It’s an inspirational project for the millions of people with a disability who live in Russia. We want to change their lives," said Chernyshenko.

"The Russian government is taking unprecedented steps to improve the lives of people with a disability in Russia. Sochi 2014 is the catalyst for this."

In the Meantime

LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe and Chris Holmes, director of Paralympic integration, also briefed the audience on progress toward London 2012.

Tickets for some Paralympic events have already sold out, including cycling, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

"In the first ticket window we shifted over one million tickets," Holmes said.

"On December 2 when tickets went back on sale, 15,000 tickets were sold in the first 15 minutes."

In a speech earlier in the weekend, Craven also addressed successful ticket sales for the London Games.

More thanone million tickets have already been sold, a record so far away from the opening ceremony.

"The signs are that London 2012 has the potential to match and potentially surpass what we achieved here in Beijing," said Craven.

"The job now is to sell the remaining tickets before the Games. It would give us all great pleasure if we could announce for the first time ever that the Paralympic Games are a sell-out weeks in advance."

State of the IPC

Craven also said the overall Paralympic Movement is expanding as well.

"This year alone, despite there being no Paralympic Games, at least one major international or regional sporting event has taken place every two weeks," he added.

On Saturday, the IPC held a gala honoring top athletes, officials and media.

The IPC named German skiers Gerd Schoenfelder and Verena Bentele the year’s best male and female athletes.

Japan’s ice sledge hockey squad was named the best team.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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