Fans hoping to attend the Sochi Winter Olympics won't be able to watch the games without receiving security clearance, according to a government order published Friday.
The order, published on the Economic Development Ministry's website, says that ticket holders should apply for a registration card from the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and that fans must present this card to access Olympic venues.
Applicants will have to present their passport and pass security checks to receive the registration card, the order added.
According to the order, tickets for the Winter Olympics will be sold from Feb. 7. If a ticket holder fails security clearance, he will be able to return his ticket.
The Sochi Olympics, set to start on Feb. 7, 2014, will take place in the southern Krasnodar region, which borders on the Black Sea.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.