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The Sochi Winter Olympics haven’t even begun yet and there’s already drama to behold. From not being able to flush toilet paper down the toilets to possible bombs hiding out in the toothpaste tubes, the Olympics are definitely going to be interesting.
This is especially true when it comes to wheelchair accessibility. A country not known as being a bastion for disability friendliness, Russia made sure to amp it up big time to meet the standards of “first world” accessibility. They’ve made a lot of awesome changes in Sochi, and they’ve incorporated people with disabilities into every area of Olympics planning.
Check out three videos below showing how Sochi has gotten ready for wheelchair-users, including wheelchair performers in the opening ceremonies.
Video #1: Tour the Bolshoy Ice Dome (with other wheelchair-users)
Our first video comes from the official Sochi Olympics video channel where they’ve made dozens of videos showing how they’ve gotten already for the Olympics. In this disability preparedness video, we get to see several local citizens of Sochi test public transportation’s accessibility (Sochi has purchased 28 accessible buses for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics), and then test the accessibility of the Bolshoy Ice Dome as well (where ice hockey and sled hockey will be played).
The video follows wheelchair-users as they tour the 12,000-seat capacity venue, from showing how there are few barriers on the inside and the sight-line from the accessible seats to how vehicles can pull right up to the venue for easy pick-ups and drop-offs The venue is gorgeous, despite the stark exterior landscaping which makes the venue look like it could be on another planet. Watch wheelchair-users tour the Bolshoy Ice Dome
Video #2: Wheelchair dancers at dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies
Our second video comes from another official Sochi Olympics video channel which has been releasing videos the last couple of weeks highlighting its performers and athletes. In this video simply titled “Dance in wheelchair,” we get a sneak-peak of what is most likely a dance routine to be included in the opening ceremonies this Sunday. It features four female wheelchair-users and four male wheelchair-users, all dressed in traditional Russian garb and partner dancing for 3 about minutes.
The troupe also includes a dynamo hip-hop dancer in a wheelchair who throws down some seriously impressive moves at the end, like doing a handstand in his wheelchair to purposely tipping his chair forward then putting his hands on the ground in front of him to brace himself. This will surely wow the world when they can see how powerful wheelchair dancing can be. Check out the dance troupe’s dress rehearsal
Video #3: “See You in Sochi!” city tour w/ wheelchair-user chairman
Our third video is titled “See You in Sochi!” and features Nikolai Tzverov, the chairman of the Sochi Wheelchair Users Organization, as he rolls around the city showing how they’ve gotten ready for the influx of disabled guests and athletes that will be there.
It shows him interacting with the disabled citizens of Sochi and doing his thing around town, like riding the bus (and showing how the drivers help physically deploy the ramp) as well as playing shuffleboard outside when it’s too cold to curl (his fav sport). He also talks about the diversity of Sochi, and why it’s a good place for disabled individuals. Watch his take on the city of Sochi
Whether you plan on being at the Olympics, the Paralympics or simply plan on watching them from the comfort of your own home, the excitement of the Olympics is alive and rearing to go. Let’s just hope it’s an accessible and all-around safe and pleasant experience for everyone who attends this year.
Have you been to Russia? What was the accessibility like there?
Watch the videos!
– Wheelchair-users testing the accessibility of the venues in Sochi
– Wheelchair dancers in traditional Russian garb practicing for the opening ceremonies
– Nikolai Tzverov, chairman of the Sochi Wheelchair-Users Association
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