Paralympic Preparation: Russia and Tokyo

From Media dis&dat blog on Russia:

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.

Source:
http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2009/07/russian-president-brings-countrys-laws.html

Around the Rings provides ongoing information on the Paralympics. Here they describe how

...Tokyo plans to host the most compact, sustainable and athlete-focused Paralympic Games in history.

A pioneer in urban solutions that benefit disabled people, the vibrant and safe city of Tokyo and its world-renowned transportation network are already in the process of implementing new cutting-edge best practices as part of a greater vision to create a 100% barrier-free urban environment and share it with the world through an inspiring Games in 2016.

Full story:
http://www.aroundtherings.com/articles/view.aspx?id=32677