President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree waiving visa requirements for athletes and officials attending international sporting events in Russia, the Kremlin announced on Monday.
"Participants in international sporting competition can enter and exit the Russian Federation without applying for visas," the government said in a statement posted on its official website (www.kremlin.ru).
Participants must carry a valid passport and official accreditation from local organisers to qualify for visa-free status, the Kremlin added.
Over the next few years, Russia is hosting a number of major sporting events, starting with the world athletics championships in Moscow in August, the Sochi Winter Olympics next February and the soccer World Cup in 2018.
Photograph: Anatoly Maltsev/Reuters
After World Cup success Rahi guns for glory at Rio Games
10 countries with the LARGEST railway network
Was the Chinese intrusion really a PLA strike against Xi?
Koodankulam: 'It takes time to make a plant operational'
Shooter Sarnobat scripts history; wins World Cup gold