The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games were record-breaking in terms of athlete performances, ticket sales and media coverage, and according to Russia’s Deputy Prime Minster Dmitry Kozak, “they showed what people from different countries and nationalities different cultures and traditions are capable of when they are united by a single goal and an inspired dream.” By hosting the Paralympics for the first time ever, the Games became a catalyst for the country to create a barrier-free society.
SPORTS
The Games featured five sports across Sochi’s Coastal and Mountain Clusters,
including alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey and
wheelchair curling. Snowboard made its Paralympic Winter Games debut as
a discipline under IPC Alpine Skiing.
TORCH RELAY
The Paralympic Torch Relay passed through all eight of Russia's Federal Districts. From 26 February – 7 March 2013, more than 1,000 torchbearers carried the Paralympic Torch through at least 50 Russian regions.