Athletes with disabilities praise high level of barrier-free environment at Sochi Paralympic Games

The Olympic Park in Sochi needs some upgrade to become completely barrier-free, Sochi guests comment, but most of the people with disabilities appreciate the changes watched in the Olympic capital.

"With regard to accessibility, everything has been ensured here; at least I've seen no drawbacks. Every place is accessible; they have ramps everywhere. No complaints. My main wish is for all other large and small cities borrow this experience," Denis Kiselyov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Ivan Mescheryakov, Chairman of the Centre for helping disabled persons with locomotor system disorders in Moscow, has treated the Sochi case as an example of European-level environment in Russia. However, in his opinion, it is necessary to upgrade some nuances, in particular, high-mounted curbs in many places.

Sergey Badaev, a member of the Russian sledge hockey team from Khanty-Mansiysk, had visited the Olympic Park many times during test competitions and construction; so, he can evaluate the creation of the barrier-free environment in the park in retrospect.

"Two years ago, of course, it was inconvenient for us – the city was under construction. At the moment, all is OK; we went to the mountains, and there are buses and ski lifts that work OK, and the staff has good attitude. A person in a wheelchair can get, without other's help, into any store, bank or sports facilities," the athlete told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.