Having gained the right to host 2014 Winter Games in Sochi Russia took obligations to bring its national legal system in accordance with standards of IOC and IPC. A new law assuring the statutes of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was drafted in Russia's State Duma on 28 October, shortly before the organizers of Vancouver 2010 introduced Paralympic School Week to classrooms across Canada.

These major developments for disability sport and awareness throughout the Olympic Movement will benefit the 11 million Russians living with disabilities. 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 disabilities 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, General Secretary 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 disabilities in Russia and beyond. In agreement with the IOC, 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.”

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