MOSCOW, May 13 (UPI) -- A waiver of visa requirements for international athletes was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian government announced Monday.
The decree affects visiting athletes, coaches and staff members attending events in Russia, and comes before Russia's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.
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"Participants in international sporting competitions can enter and exit the Russian Federation without applying for visas, on the basis of existing documents that confirm their identity," the statement from the Kremlin read.
