2014 Winter Paralympics

Multi-parasport event in Sochi, Russia February 2020 2014 Winter Paralympics Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics logo.svg Sochi, Russia Hot. Cool. Yours.(Russian: Жаркие. Зимние. Твои.) 45 550 72 in 5 sports 7 March 2014 16 March 2014 President Vladimir Putin IPC President Philip Craven Sergey ShilovOlesya Vladykina Fisht Olympic Stadium Vancouver 2010 PyeongChang 2018 London 2012 Rio 2016 The 2014 Winter Paralympics (ru Зимние Паралимпийские игры 2014 Zimniye Paralimpiyskiye igry 2014), the 11th Paralympic Winter Games, and also more generally known as the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, were an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), held in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 16 March 2014. 45 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) participated in the Games, which marked the first time Russia ever hosted the Paralympics. The Games featured 72 medal events in five sports, and saw the debut of snowboarding at the Winter Paralympics.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/17928444 Para-Snowboard secures Paralympic Games inclusion BBC Sport 2 May 2012 14 February 2014 24 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131224074034/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/17928444 live The lead-up to these Paralympics were met with concerns regarding Russia's military intervention in the nearby Crimean peninsula of Ukraine the month before the opening of the games. The head of Ukraine's NPC stated that it would pull its athletes if the situation escalated, while the United Kingdom and United States chose not to send governmental delegations to the Games. The crisis ultimately had no impact on athlete participation, but members of the Ukrainian team did stage symbolic protests of the crisis during the Games (including most notably, all but the country's flagbearer sitting out of the opening ceremony's parade of nations). With 80 medals, 30 of them being gold, the host country of Russia won the most medals during these Games, and set a record for the most medals won by a single country during a single Winter Paralympic Games. Additionally, Russian skier Roman Petushkov won the most individual gold medals in Winter Paralympic history, with six golds across skiing and biathlon events.Sochi Paralympics: Roman Petushkov sets golds record https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26591726 BBC Sport 17 March 2014 19 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140319093746/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26591726 live However, following the Games, the IPC discovered evidence that Russia's performance had been aided by a wider state-sponsored doping program. This resulted in restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes during subsequent Paralympics. Bidding process Bids for the 2014 Winter Olympics As part of a formal agreement between the International Paralympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee first established in 2001, the winner of the bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics was also to host the 2014 Winter Paralympics.Paralympics 2012: London to host 'first truly global Games' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/18143145 BBC Sport 1 August 2012 18 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120818202303/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/18143145 live Following the second and final round of voting at the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala City, Guatemala on 4 July 2007, the city of Sochi, Russia was awarded the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2221 Sochi Elected as Host City of XXII Olympic Winter Games Olympic.org 24 January 2014 14 February 2014 5 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101205235120/http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2221 live + 2014 Host City Election – results City CountryRound 1Round 2 Sochi Russia 34 51 Pyeongchang South Korea 36 47 Salzburg Austria 25 — Organization Venues Europe 260 right Location of Sochi, Russia Location of Sochi on the eastern coast of the Black Sea in Europe. Sochi white 43.585278 39.720278 Venues of the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics thumb|250px|Panoramic view of the Sochi Olympic Park As with previous Paralympics, the 2014 Winter Paralympics used most of the same venues that were used by the Olympics, situated within the Sochi Olympic Park and the resort of Krasnaya Polyana. Despite the IPC believing that Russia had "zero track record in terms of accessibility"—given that the Soviet Union passed on hosting the 1980 Summer Paralympics after claiming no disabled athletes lived in Russia, the venues were built to the IPC's standards, organizers were quick to fix some of the issues pointed out by officials during an audit of the venues in January 2014, and an IPC spokesperson stated that they were "confident and expect everything to be ready for Games time." Organizers and the IPC hoped that the Paralympics' legacy would make Sochi a role model for inclusive design throughout the country, and IPC president Philip Craven went as far as dubbing Sochi the first accessible city in Russia, commending the country's changed stance on disability since 1980.Sochi 2014 Paralympics: IPC confident on venue accessibility https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26317884 BBC Sport 3 March 2014 7 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307210823/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26317884 live Sochi Olympic Park (Coastal Cluster) Sochi Olympic Park The Sochi Olympic Park was built by the Black Sea coast in the Imeretin Valley, about 4 km (2.5 miles) from Russia's border with Abkhazia.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7746114.stm Sochi's mixed feelings over Olympics BBC News 26 November 2008 17 January 2014 21 February 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090221105502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7746114.stm liveMackay Duncan 22 May 2010 Russian Deputy PM leads Sochi delegation to inspect Munich Olympic Park http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/9667-russian-deputy-pm-leads-sochi-delegation-to-inspect-munich-olympic-park live https://web.archive.org/web/20120816001307/http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/9667-russian-deputy-pm-leads-sochi-delegation-to-inspect-munich-olympic-park 16 August 2012 24 August 2024 Inside the Games The venues are clustered around a central water basin with a synchronized fountain, allowing all indoor venues to be within walking distance. Madler Mark 24 February 2014 WET Design Runs Rings Around Rivals http://sfvbj.com/news/2014/feb/24/wet-design-runs-rings-around-rivals/ San Fernando Business Journal Los Angeles, California California Business Journals 26 February 2014 subscription 7 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200907120115/http://sfvbj.com/news/2014/feb/24/wet-design-runs-rings-around-rivals/ live http://www.gizmag.com/sochi-olympic-fountains/30934/ Gizmag California-based WET makes the waters dance at Sochi 26 February 2013 18 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141018015242/http://www.gizmag.com/sochi-olympic-fountains/30934/ live Off these, the venues used during the Paralympics included: Fisht Olympic Stadium – ceremonies (opening/closing) 40,000 spectators Shayba Arena – sledge hockey, 7,000 spectators Ice Cube Curling Center – wheelchair curling, 3,000 spectators Sochi 2014 olympic coastal cluster map-en.svg 500px A sketch of the layout of Sochi Olympic Park. Krasnaya Polyana (Mountain Cluster) Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex – Biathlon, Cross-country skiing Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort – Alpine skiing Rosa Khutor Extreme Park – Snowboarding Sochi 2014 olympic mountain cluster map-en.svg 460px center 2014 Winter Paralympics Mountain Cluster Venues Mascots 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots thumb|Snowflake and Ray of Light ("Snezhinka" and "Luchik") A shortlist of 10 Olympic and 3 Paralympic designs were shown to the public on 7 February 2011, while the winners were revealed on 26 February 2011.https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=6098909 Russia unveils candidates for Sochi mascot ESPN.com 7 February 2011 14 February 2014 5 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150105222736/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=6098909 live The Paralympic mascots, Ray of Light and Snowflake, represented contrasts and inclusivity: their fictional backstories portrayed them as having respectively come to Earth from a hot planet and a cold comet. After Ray of Light overcame his struggle to adapt to a winter environment, he bonded with Snowflake through a shared passion for winter sports.Sochi 2014 gets a new Paralympic look http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-gets-new-paralympic-look Paralympic.org IPC 28 May 2014 6 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140306072604/http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-gets-new-paralympic-look live The Games Opening ceremony 2014 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony 2014 Winter Paralympics Parade of Nations The opening ceremony of the Games were held at Fisht Olympic Stadium on 7 March 2014. Entitled "Breaking the Ice", the ceremony was themed around equality and "breaking" barriers, featuring ballet sequences set to music by notable Russian composers, and animated segments by Aleksandr Petrov based on the story of the firebird. In his opening speech, IPC president Philip Craven praised Russia for finally fulfilling its "dream" of hosting the Paralympics after previously passing on the opportunity in 1980. He called upon spectators to have a "barrier-free mind", stating that "the sport you witness here will change you. Not just for now, but forever." The Paralympic cauldron was jointly lit by Russian Paralympians Olesya Vladykina and Sergey Shilov.2014 Paralympics open in Sochi CBC Brandon Hicks 7 March 2014 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/2014-paralympics-open-in-sochi-1.2563632 7 March 2014 8 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140308013010/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/2014-paralympics-open-in-sochi-1.2563632 live Participating National Paralympic Committees Athletes representing forty-five National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) competed at the 2014 Winter Paralympics, an increase of one NPC over 2010. Participating National Paralympic Committees22em AND 2014 Winter 1 ARG 2014 Winter 3 ARM 2014 Winter 1 AUS 2014 Winter 9 AUT 2014 Winter 13 BLR 2014 Winter 10 BEL 2014 Winter 2 BIH 2014 Winter 2 BRA 2014 Winter 2 BUL 2014 Winter 2 CAN 2014 Winter 54 CHI 2014 Winter 2 CHN 2014 Winter 10 CRO 2014 Winter 2 CZE 2014 Winter 18 DEN 2014 Winter 2 FIN 2014 Winter 13 FRA 2014 Winter 14 GER 2014 Winter 13 GBR 2014 Winter 12 GRE 2014 Winter 1 ISL 2014 Winter 2 IRI 2014 Winter 1 ITA 2014 Winter 34 JPN 2014 Winter 20 KAZ 2014 Winter 5 KOR 2014 Winter 27 MEX 2014 Winter 1 MGL 2014 Winter 1 NED 2014 Winter 7 NZL 2014 Winter 3 NOR 2014 Winter 31 POL 2014 Winter 7 ROU 2014 Winter 1 RUS 2014 Winter 68 (host) SRB 2014 Winter 1 SVK 2014 Winter 16 SLO 2014 Winter 1 ESP 2014 Winter 7 SWE 2014 Winter 22 SUI 2014 Winter 8 TUR 2014 Winter 2 UKR 2014 Winter 23 USA 2014 Winter 74 UZB 2014 Winter 2 Brazil, Turkey and Uzbekistan made their Winter Paralympic debut in Sochi, while Hungary and South Africa, who participated in Vancouver, did not send any athletes. Sports Competitions in the 2014 Winter Paralympics were held in five Winter Paralympic sports, with 72 medal events in total. New for 2014 was the addition of snowboarding events, which were incorporated into the alpine skiing program. 20px|class=skin-invert Alpine skiing 32 No 20px|class=skin-invert Biathlon 18 No 20px|class=skin-invert Cross-country skiing 20 No 20px|class=skin-invert Ice sledge hockey 1 No 20px|class=skin-invert Wheelchair curling 1 No Calendar Chronological summary of the 2014 Winter Paralympics Closing ceremony 2014 Winter Paralympics closing ceremony The closing ceremony of the 2014 Winter Paralympics was held on 16 March 2014 at Fisht Olympic Stadium. Entitled "Reaching the Impossible", the ceremony was themed around inclusivity, and featured sequences paying tribute to Russian abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky, and Alexey Pajitnov's classic video game Tetris. During his closing remarks, deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak stated that the Games had become a "catalyst for our efforts to create a barrier-free environment in Russia", and promised that "this important work will continue throughout our vast country." Sir Phillip Craven congratulated Russia for hosting what he deemed to be the best Winter Paralympic Games, and stated that the Games' participants had "shown the world that absolutely anything is possible and that life is about amazing capabilities and not perceived deficiencies."Record-breaking Sochi 2014 Paralympics close in celebration of possibility https://www.paralympic.org/news/record-breaking-sochi-2014-paralympics-close-celebration-possibility IPC 24 April 2014 29 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160729034307/https://www.paralympic.org/news/record-breaking-sochi-2014-paralympics-close-celebration-possibility liveBest Winter Paralympics Ever' Close in Sochi http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140316/188493162/Best-Winter-Paralympics-Ever-Close-in-Sochi.html RIA 24 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140320125832/http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140316/188493162/Best-Winter-Paralympics-Ever-Close-in-Sochi.html 20 March 2014 dead dmy-allSochi Paralympics end with flare, fireworks http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/news/sochi-paralympics-end-with-flare-fireworks-1.2574169 CBC Sports 24 April 2014 28 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161228173953/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/news/sochi-paralympics-end-with-flare-fireworks-1.2574169 live Medals List of 2014 Winter Paralympics medal winners Sochi's Paralympic medal design was unveiled in May 2013 alongside its Olympic equivalent. The design incorporates a "patchwork quilt" of diamonds, some of which are translucent, containing designs that reflect Russia's regions, and also contain inscriptions in braille.The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee unveils Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games medals http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-the-sochi-2014-organizing-committee-unveils-olympic-and-paralympic-winter-games-medals Sochi 2014 12 February 2014 12 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140212093717/http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-the-sochi-2014-organizing-committee-unveils-olympic-and-paralympic-winter-games-medals liveSochi 2014 unveils Paralympic Winter Games medals http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-unveils-paralympic-winter-games-medals Paralympic.org 9 March 2014 9 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140309084022/http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-unveils-paralympic-winter-games-medals live Medal table 2014 Winter Paralympics medal table Broadcasting In February 2013, following its successful broadcast of the 2012 Summer Paralympics, British broadcaster Channel 4 announced in February 2014 that it had obtained the broadcast rights to further Games, including the 2014 Winter Paralympics, and 2016 Summer Paralympics. Channel 4 planned to broadcast more than 45 hours of coverage from Sochi.Channel 4 pays £7m to screen 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9858682/Channel-4-pays-7m-to-screen-2014-and-2016-Paralympic-Games.html The Daily Telegraph 8 February 2014 22 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140322234551/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9858682/Channel-4-pays-7m-to-screen-2014-and-2016-Paralympic-Games.html livehttp://www.paralympic.org/news/channel-4-secures-2014-and-2016-paralympic-games-rights Channel 4 secures 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games rights International Paralympic Committee 8 February 2013 12 February 2013 12 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130212133056/http://www.paralympic.org/news/channel-4-secures-2014-and-2016-paralympic-games-rights live Australian coverage was provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, including live online streaming. However, aside from the opening ceremony (which was broadcast live), television coverage was limited to a daily half-hour highlights show.Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games http://www.tvtonight.com.au/event/sochi-2014-winter-paralympic-games TV Tonight 14 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140821193512/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/event/sochi-2014-winter-paralympic-games 21 August 2014 dead dmy-all In the United States, NBC Sports acquired the rights to the 2014 and 2016 Paralympics in September 2013. The majority of its coverage was broadcast on NBC Sports Network, and NBC aired highlights of the opening ceremony the following afternoon, and live coverage of the sledge hockey finals.Television Schedule Set For Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/February/19/Television-Schedule-Set-For-Sochi-2014-Paralympic-Winter-Games USOC 7 March 2014 7 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307200232/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/February/19/Television-Schedule-Set-For-Sochi-2014-Paralympic-Winter-Games deadParalympic Movement given huge boost as American channels NBC and NBCSN will cover next two Games https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/10330949/Paralympic-Movement-given-huge-boost-as-American-channels-NBC-and-NBCSN-will-cover-next-two-Games.html The Daily Telegraph 10 February 2014 10 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140310013039/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/10330949/Paralympic-Movement-given-huge-boost-as-American-channels-NBC-and-NBCSN-will-cover-next-two-Games.html live CBC Sports, in conjunction with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, produced and syndicated television and digital coverage of the Games in Canada for CBC Television (30 hours), Ici Radio-Canada Télé (French, 7 hours), Sportsnet, AMI-tv (coverage with open described video), and Yahoo! Sports Canada.CBC Unveils Multiplatform Coverage of Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-unveils-multiplatform-coverage-of-sochi-2014-paralympic-games/1002946857/?&er=NA Broadcaster Magazine 7 March 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140307194744/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-unveils-multiplatform-coverage-of-sochi-2014-paralympic-games/1002946857/?&er=NA 7 March 2014 Concerns and controversies Concerns and controversies at the 2014 Winter Olympics Although concerns over LGBT rights still had a minor effect on the Games, they were overshadowed by a crisis in the Ukrainian region of Crimea which began during the Olympics, but became more severe immediately prior to the Paralympics. Russian annexation of Crimea Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation On 27–28 February 2014 in the aftermath of the Ukrainian revolution, Russian troops seized control of most of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine located on the northern coast of the Black Sea—roughly 480 km mi from Sochi, including civil buildings, airports, and military bases.https://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/russian-troops-crimea-ukraine-104130.html Politico Russian troops seize Crimea 1 March 2014 1 March 2014 4 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140304230337/http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/russian-troops-crimea-ukraine-104130.html live On 1 March 2014, the Russian legislature approved the use of the Russian military in Ukraine, and Russian officials stated that their military forces in Crimea were not a breach of existing agreements between Russia and Ukraine.https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/russian-parliament-approves-use-of-army-in-ukraine/article5739708.ece The Hindu Russian Parliament approves use of army in Ukraine 1 March 2014 1 March 2014 5 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140705170407/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/russian-parliament-approves-use-of-force-in-crimea/article5739708.ece live The Ukrainian response has been muted trying to find a diplomatic solution, with no military action on the part of Ukraine's government, which was formed in Kyiv less than a week before the intervention. Russia vowed troops would stay until the political situation was "normalised".https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600 Ukraine crisis: Russia vows troops will stay 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 BBC 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303092734/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600 live A referendum on whether Crimea would separate from Ukraine was held on 16 March 2014—the same day as the closing ceremony of these Games.Crimea's referendum to leave Ukraine: how did we get here? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/crimea-referendum-explainer-ukraine-russia The Guardian 14 March 2014 14 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140314014023/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/crimea-referendum-explainer-ukraine-russia live The effects of these developments led to several notable political actions surrounding the Paralympics. On 2 March 2014, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that British government officials were planning to boycott the 2014 Winter Paralympics in response to the situation in Crimea, while Prince Edward cancelled plans to travel to Sochi for the Games "on the advice of government."British Officials to Boycott Sochi Paralympics https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/sports/international/british-officials-to-boycott-sochi-paralympics-over-russian-intervention-in-ukraine.html?hpw&rref=sports&_r=0 3 March 2014 The New York Times 29 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141129223822/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/sports/international/british-officials-to-boycott-sochi-paralympics-over-russian-intervention-in-ukraine.html?hpw&rref=sports&_r=0 livehttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukraine-crisis-uk-ministers-to-boycott-paralympics-in-response-to-russias-declaration-of-war-9163951.html Ukraine crisis: David Cameron says ministers will boycott Sochi 2014 Paralympics in response to Russia's declaration of war The Independent 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303015858/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukraine-crisis-uk-ministers-to-boycott-paralympics-in-response-to-russias-declaration-of-war-9163951.html live On 3 March 2014, United States National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden announced that the United States would not send a presidential delegation to Sochi (which was to be led by Tammy Duckworth) at all, "in addition to other measures we are taking in response to the situation in Ukraine." Neither of the boycotts affected the participation of their respective athletes in the Games; Hayden went on to say that "President Obama continues to strongly support all of the U.S. athletes who will participate in the Paralympics and wishes them great success".https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/03/03/united-states-official-delegation-sochi-paralympics/5976875/ USA won't send presidential delegation to Sochi Paralympics USA Today 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303185156/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/03/03/united-states-official-delegation-sochi-paralympics/5976875/ live IPC communications head Craig Spence reported prior to the Games that there were not any boycott efforts among athletes, and stated that although the organization would keep an eye on the situation in the Crimea, "we've obviously expressed our disappointment with what's going on in the political situation, but at the end of the day, we're not here to do politics. We're here to organize a sporting event." He went on to emphasize that the same level of security measures in place during the Olympics would be in place during the Paralympics, and ensured that Sochi would be the "safest place" in the country during the Games.Sochi Paralympics 2014: No plans for boycott – IPC https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26418517 BBC Sport 3 March 2014 3 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140303183618/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26418517 liveParalympics organizers fear Crimea unrest will overshadow Games http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/paralympics-organizers-fear-crimea-unrest-will-overshadow-games-1.2559400 7 March 2014 CBC News 7 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307033348/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/paralympics-organizers-fear-crimea-unrest-will-overshadow-games-1.2559400 live The Ukraine team still participated in the Games, but Valeriy Sushkevich, head of the country's National Paralympic Committee, warned that "if there is an escalation of the conflict, intervention on the territory of our country, God forbid the worst, we would not be able to stay here. We would go." As a symbolic protest, the Ukrainian team declined to participate in the opening ceremonies' parade of nations, sending only its flagbearer Mykailo Tkachenko—who entered to an ovation from the audience.Ukrainians stage symbolic protest at opening of Sochi Winter Paralympics https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/mar/07/ukrainian-athletes-protest-sochi-winter-paralympics The Guardian 7 March 2014 7 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307220522/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/mar/07/ukrainian-athletes-protest-sochi-winter-paralympics live Some Ukrainian medalists were seen covering their medal with their hand during ceremonies as another form of silent protest; Sushkevich stated that the covering was "a demonstration that aggression and the high ideals of Paralympic sports are incompatible."How Ukraine's athletes in Sochi are protesting against Russia's actions http://qz.com/188577/ukraine-athletes-in-sochi-protesting-against-russia-crimea-vote/ Quartz 17 March 2014 16 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140316043357/http://qz.com/188577/ukraine-athletes-in-sochi-protesting-against-russia-crimea-vote/ live Russian doping scandal Doping in Russia On 18 July 2016, the World Anti-Doping Agency published the first part of an independent report detailing a state-sponsored doping program in Russian Olympic and Paralympic sport, coordinated by the country's Ministry of Sport and Federal Security Service (FSB), where positive urine samples were swapped in favour of clean ones in order to evade detection.https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations McLaren Independent Investigations Report into Sochi Allegations World Anti-Doping Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20160723002111/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations 23 July 2016 26 July 2016 The IPC found evidence that swapping of positive samples had occurred during the 2014 Winter Paralympics. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/sports/report-confirms-state-sponsored-doping-by-russia-at-olympics.html Russia May Face Olympics Ban as Doping Scheme Is Confirmed Rebecca R. Ruiz The New York Times 18 July 2016 26 February 2017 12 March 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170312030849/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/sports/report-confirms-state-sponsored-doping-by-russia-at-olympics.html live https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html Russian Insider Says State-Run Doping Fueled Olympic Gold Rebecca R. Ruiz Michael Schwirtz The New York Times 12 May 2016 26 February 2017 30 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171230032229/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html live Russia given blanket Paralympic ban amid 'medals over morals' criticism https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/08/russia-blanket-paralympic-ban-medals-over-morals-rio-2016 The Guardian 10 August 2016 8 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160808110604/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/08/russia-blanket-paralympic-ban-medals-over-morals-rio-2016 liveRio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/37002582 BBC Sport 10 August 2016 10 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160810013408/http://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/37002582 live On 7 August 2016, the International Paralympic Committee announced that it had suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee. The country was banned from the 2016 Summer Paralympics. At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, the RPC remained suspended, but the IPC did allow clean Russian athletes to compete neutrally under the Paralympic flag (mirroring a similar decision by the IOC for the 2018 Winter Olympics).https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1060776/ipc-allow-russian-athletes-to-compete-as-neutrals-at-pyeongchang-2018-but-maintain-suspension IPC allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at Pyeongchang 2018 but maintain suspension Inside the Games 2018-02-09 9 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180209204221/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1060776/ipc-allow-russian-athletes-to-compete-as-neutrals-at-pyeongchang-2018-but-maintain-suspension live https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect The IPC suspends the Russian Paralympic Committee with immediate effect International Paralympic Committee 7 August 2016 10 August 2016 7 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171207035019/https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect live LGBT rights Concerns surrounding LGBT rights in Russia and the country's "gay propaganda" law continued into the Paralympics. On 4 February 2014, Norway's openly gay health minister Bent Høie announced he would attend the Games with his husband, as is common for cabinet officials to travel with their spouses.http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCABREA130L420140204?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 Gay Norwegian minister to take husband to Sochi Paralympics Reuters 2 February 2014 12 February 2014 22 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222201558/http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCABREA130L420140204?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 dead The Federation of Gay Games also started a petition calling for IPC president Philip Craven not to attend the Games if Russian authorities did not allow the Russian Open Games, a multi-sport event for LGBT athletes which organizers attempted to hold prior to the Paralympics, to occur. These games were faced with a bomb threat, and its venues arbitrarily pulling out of providing their services for events, which was believed to be a result of government pressure.Post-Olympic concerns over Russia LGBT rights record remain https://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/02/27/post-olympic-concerns-over-russia-lgbt-rights-record-remain/ Washington Blade 14 March 2014 14 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140314200950/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/02/27/post-olympic-concerns-over-russia-lgbt-rights-record-remain/ live See also Sports List of IOC country codes References 30em External links Q1045816 Category:2014 Winter Paralympics 2014 Winter Paralympics no no Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games no no no no no Official website https://web.archive.org/web/20140722163954/http://www.sochi2014.com/en/paralympic 22 July 2014 International Paralympic Committee Winter Paralympics Sochi Vancouver Pyeongchang XI Paralympic Winter Games (2014) 2014 2014 Category:2014 in multi-sport events Paralympics Category:2014 in Russian sport Category:International sports competitions hosted by Russia Category:Sports competitions in Sochi Category:Winter multi-sport events in Russia Category:March 2014 sports events in Europe Category:2014 in Sochi Category:March 2014 in Russia Category:Parasports in Russia Category:Olympic Games in Russia Category:2014 in international sports