06.03 Putin Attends Raising of Russian Flag at Sochi Paralympic Village

KRASNAYA POLYANA, March 6 (R-Sport) – The Russian flag was ceremonially raised Thursday at the mountain village for the Sochi Paralympics with President Vladimir Putin in attendance.

The March 7-16 Paralympics will mark the first time Russia hosts the disabled sports competition, which is to be held at the same facilities where the Winter Olympics took place last month.

Joining Putin at the ceremony was a raft of Russian dignitaries including Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, Russian Paralympic Committee head Vladimir Lukin and several current Russian Paralympians and former champions.