2014 Winter Paralympics

{{main|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.{{cite web|title=Paralympics 2012: London to host 'first truly global Games'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/18143145|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 August 2012|archive-date=18 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818202303/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/18143145|url-status=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.{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2221 |title=Sochi Elected as Host City of XXII Olympic Winter Games |publisher=Olympic.org |date=24 January 2014 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-date=5 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205235120/http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2221 |url-status=live }}

{{Location map|Europe|width=260|float=right

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| caption=Location of Sochi on the eastern coast of the Black Sea in Europe.

| label = Sochi

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| lat_deg = 43.585278

| lon_deg = 39.720278

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{{Main|Venues of the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics}}

File:Olympic Park 2014.jpg

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.{{cite web|title=Sochi 2014 Paralympics: IPC confident on venue accessibility|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26317884|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307210823/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26317884|url-status=live}}

{{Main|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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7746114.stm|title=Sochi's mixed feelings over Olympics|work=BBC News|date=26 November 2008|access-date=17 January 2014|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221105502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7746114.stm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Mackay |first=Duncan |date=22 May 2010 |title=Russian Deputy PM leads Sochi delegation to inspect Munich Olympic Park |url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/winter-olympics/2014/9667-russian-deputy-pm-leads-sochi-delegation-to-inspect-munich-olympic-park |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=16 August 2012 |access-date=24 August 2024 |website=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.{{cite news|last= Madler|first= Mark|date= 24 February 2014|title= WET Design Runs Rings Around Rivals|url= http://sfvbj.com/news/2014/feb/24/wet-design-runs-rings-around-rivals/|newspaper= San Fernando Business Journal|location= Los Angeles, California|publisher= California Business Journals|access-date= 26 February 2014|url-access= subscription|archive-date= 7 September 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200907120115/http://sfvbj.com/news/2014/feb/24/wet-design-runs-rings-around-rivals/|url-status= live}}{{Cite web |url= http://www.gizmag.com/sochi-olympic-fountains/30934/ |publisher= Gizmag |title= California-based WET makes the waters dance at Sochi |access-date= 26 February 2013 |archive-date= 18 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141018015242/http://www.gizmag.com/sochi-olympic-fountains/30934/ |url-status= 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

{{wide image|Sochi 2014 olympic coastal cluster map-en.svg|500px|A sketch of the layout of Sochi Olympic Park.}}

{{Main|Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai}}

• Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex – Biathlon, Cross-country skiing
• Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort – Alpine skiing
• Rosa Khutor Extreme Park – Snowboarding

{{wide image|Sochi 2014 olympic mountain cluster map-en.svg|460px|align-cap=center|2014 Winter Paralympics Mountain Cluster Venues}}

{{Main|2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots}}

File:2014 Winter Paralympic mascots.svg

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=6098909 |title=Russia unveils candidates for Sochi mascot |work=ESPN.com |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105222736/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=6098909 |url-status=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.{{cite web|title=Sochi 2014 gets a new Paralympic look|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-gets-new-paralympic-look|work=Paralympic.org|publisher=IPC|access-date=28 May 2014|archive-date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306072604/http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-gets-new-paralympic-look|url-status=live}}

{{main|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.{{cite news|title=2014 Paralympics open in Sochi|publisher=CBC|author=Brandon Hicks|date=7 March 2014|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/2014-paralympics-open-in-sochi-1.2563632|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-date=8 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308013010/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/2014-paralympics-open-in-sochi-1.2563632|url-status=live}}

Athletes representing forty-five National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) competed at the 2014 Winter Paralympics, an increase of one NPC over 2010.

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.

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.

• File:Alpine skiing - Paralympic pictogram.svg {{GamesSport|Alpine skiing|Events=32|Image=No}}
• File:Biathlon - Paralympic pictogram.svg {{GamesSport|Biathlon|Events=18|Image=No}}
• File:Cross-country skiing - Paralympic pictogram.svg {{GamesSport|Cross-country skiing|Events=20|Image=No}}
• File:Ice sledge hockey - Paralympic pictogram.svg {{GamesSport|Ice sledge hockey|Events=1|Image=No}}
• File:Wheelchair curling pictogram (Paralympics).svg {{GamesSport|Wheelchair curling|Events=1|Image=No}}

{{See also|Chronological summary of the 2014 Winter Paralympics}}

{{2014 Winter Paralympics Calendar}}

{{main|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."{{cite web|title=Record-breaking Sochi 2014 Paralympics close in celebration of possibility|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/record-breaking-sochi-2014-paralympics-close-celebration-possibility|publisher=IPC|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-date=29 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729034307/https://www.paralympic.org/news/record-breaking-sochi-2014-paralympics-close-celebration-possibility|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Best Winter Paralympics Ever' Close in Sochi|url=http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140316/188493162/Best-Winter-Paralympics-Ever-Close-in-Sochi.html|publisher=RIA|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320125832/http://en.ria.ru/sochi2014/20140316/188493162/Best-Winter-Paralympics-Ever-Close-in-Sochi.html|archive-date=20 March 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Sochi Paralympics end with flare, fireworks|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/news/sochi-paralympics-end-with-flare-fireworks-1.2574169|publisher=CBC Sports|access-date=24 April 2014|archive-date=28 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228173953/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/news/sochi-paralympics-end-with-flare-fireworks-1.2574169|url-status=live}}

{{main|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.{{cite web|title=The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee unveils Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games medals|url=http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-the-sochi-2014-organizing-committee-unveils-olympic-and-paralympic-winter-games-medals|work=Sochi 2014|access-date=12 February 2014|archive-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212093717/http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-the-sochi-2014-organizing-committee-unveils-olympic-and-paralympic-winter-games-medals|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Sochi 2014 unveils Paralympic Winter Games medals|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-unveils-paralympic-winter-games-medals|work=Paralympic.org|access-date=9 March 2014|archive-date=9 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309084022/http://www.paralympic.org/news/sochi-2014-unveils-paralympic-winter-games-medals|url-status=live}}

{{main|2014 Winter Paralympics medal table}}

{{:2014 Winter Paralympics medal table}}

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.{{cite web|title=Channel 4 pays £7m to screen 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9858682/Channel-4-pays-7m-to-screen-2014-and-2016-Paralympic-Games.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=8 February 2014|archive-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/channel-4-secures-2014-and-2016-paralympic-games-rights|title=Channel 4 secures 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games rights|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|date=8 February 2013|access-date=12 February 2013|archive-date=12 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212133056/http://www.paralympic.org/news/channel-4-secures-2014-and-2016-paralympic-games-rights|url-status=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.{{cite web|title=Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/event/sochi-2014-winter-paralympic-games|work=TV Tonight|access-date=14 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821193512/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/event/sochi-2014-winter-paralympic-games|archive-date=21 August 2014|url-status=dead|df=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.{{cite web|title=Television Schedule Set For Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games|url=http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/February/19/Television-Schedule-Set-For-Sochi-2014-Paralympic-Winter-Games|publisher=USOC|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307200232/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/February/19/Television-Schedule-Set-For-Sochi-2014-Paralympic-Winter-Games|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Paralympic Movement given huge boost as American channels NBC and NBCSN will cover next two Games|url=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|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=10 February 2014|archive-date=10 March 2014|archive-url=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|url-status=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.{{cite web|title=CBC Unveils Multiplatform Coverage of Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games |url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-unveils-multiplatform-coverage-of-sochi-2014-paralympic-games/1002946857/?&er=NA |work=Broadcaster Magazine |access-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307194744/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-unveils-multiplatform-coverage-of-sochi-2014-paralympic-games/1002946857/?&er=NA |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}

{{See also|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.

{{Main|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 {{convert|480|km|mi}} from Sochi, including civil buildings, airports, and military bases.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/russian-troops-crimea-ukraine-104130.html|work=Politico|title=Russian troops seize Crimea|date=1 March 2014|access-date=1 March 2014|archive-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304230337/http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/russian-troops-crimea-ukraine-104130.html|url-status=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.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/russian-parliament-approves-use-of-force-in-crimea/article5739708.ece|agency=The Hindu|title=Russian Parliament approves use of army in Ukraine|date=1 March 2014|access-date=1 March 2014|archive-date=5 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705170407/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/russian-parliament-approves-use-of-force-in-crimea/article5739708.ece|url-status=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".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600|title=Ukraine crisis: Russia vows troops will stay|date=3 March 2014|access-date=3 March 2014|publisher=BBC|archive-date=3 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303092734/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26414600|url-status=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.{{cite web|title=Crimea's referendum to leave Ukraine: how did we get here?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/crimea-referendum-explainer-ukraine-russia|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 March 2014|archive-date=14 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314014023/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/crimea-referendum-explainer-ukraine-russia|url-status=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."{{cite news|title=British Officials to Boycott Sochi Paralympics|url=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|access-date=3 March 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukraine-crisis-uk-ministers-to-boycott-paralympics-in-response-to-russias-declaration-of-war-9163951.html|title=Ukraine crisis: David Cameron says ministers will boycott Sochi 2014 Paralympics in response to Russia's declaration of war|work=The Independent|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=3 March 2014|archive-url=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|url-status=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".{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/03/03/united-states-official-delegation-sochi-paralympics/5976875/|title=USA won't send presidential delegation to Sochi Paralympics|work=USA Today|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=3 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303185156/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/03/03/united-states-official-delegation-sochi-paralympics/5976875/|url-status=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.{{cite news|title=Sochi Paralympics 2014: No plans for boycott – IPC|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26418517|newspaper=BBC Sport|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=3 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303183618/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26418517|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Paralympics organizers fear Crimea unrest will overshadow Games|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/paralympics-organizers-fear-crimea-unrest-will-overshadow-games-1.2559400|access-date=7 March 2014|newspaper=CBC News|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307033348/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/paralympics-organizers-fear-crimea-unrest-will-overshadow-games-1.2559400|url-status=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.{{cite web|title=Ukrainians stage symbolic protest at opening of Sochi Winter Paralympics|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/mar/07/ukrainian-athletes-protest-sochi-winter-paralympics|work=The Guardian|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307220522/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/mar/07/ukrainian-athletes-protest-sochi-winter-paralympics|url-status=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."{{cite web|title=How Ukraine's athletes in Sochi are protesting against Russia's actions|url=http://qz.com/188577/ukraine-athletes-in-sochi-protesting-against-russia-crimea-vote/|work=Quartz|access-date=17 March 2014|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316043357/http://qz.com/188577/ukraine-athletes-in-sochi-protesting-against-russia-crimea-vote/|url-status=live}}

{{main|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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations|title=McLaren Independent Investigations Report into Sochi Allegations|website=World Anti-Doping Agency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723002111/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations|archive-date=23 July 2016|access-date=26 July 2016}} The IPC found evidence that swapping of positive samples had occurred during the 2014 Winter Paralympics.{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/sports/report-confirms-state-sponsored-doping-by-russia-at-olympics.html |title= Russia May Face Olympics Ban as Doping Scheme Is Confirmed |first= Rebecca R. |last= Ruiz |work= The New York Times |date= 18 July 2016 |access-date= 26 February 2017 |archive-date= 12 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170312030849/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/sports/report-confirms-state-sponsored-doping-by-russia-at-olympics.html |url-status= live }}{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html |title= Russian Insider Says State-Run Doping Fueled Olympic Gold |first1= Rebecca R. |last1= Ruiz |first2= Michael |last2= Schwirtz |work= The New York Times |date= 12 May 2016 |access-date= 26 February 2017 |archive-date= 30 December 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171230032229/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html |url-status= live }}{{cite web|title=Russia given blanket Paralympic ban amid 'medals over morals' criticism|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/08/russia-blanket-paralympic-ban-medals-over-morals-rio-2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=10 August 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808110604/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/08/russia-blanket-paralympic-ban-medals-over-morals-rio-2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Rio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/37002582|website=BBC Sport|access-date=10 August 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810013408/http://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/37002582|url-status=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).{{Cite news|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1060776/ipc-allow-russian-athletes-to-compete-as-neutrals-at-pyeongchang-2018-but-maintain-suspension|title=IPC allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at Pyeongchang 2018 but maintain suspension|work=Inside the Games|access-date=2018-02-09|archive-date=9 February 2018|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url= https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect |title= The IPC suspends the Russian Paralympic Committee with immediate effect |publisher= International Paralympic Committee |date= 7 August 2016 |access-date= 10 August 2016 |archive-date= 7 December 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171207035019/https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect |url-status= live }}

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.{{cite news |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCABREA130L420140204?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=Gay Norwegian minister to take husband to Sochi Paralympics |work=Reuters |date=2 February 2014 |access-date=12 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222201558/http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCABREA130L420140204?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 |url-status=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.{{cite web|title=Post-Olympic concerns over Russia LGBT rights record remain|url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/02/27/post-olympic-concerns-over-russia-lgbt-rights-record-remain/|work=Washington Blade|access-date=14 March 2014|archive-date=14 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314200950/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/02/27/post-olympic-concerns-over-russia-lgbt-rights-record-remain/|url-status=live}}

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• [http://www.sochi2014.com/en/paralympic Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722163954/http://www.sochi2014.com/en/paralympic |date=22 July 2014 }}
• [http://www.paralympic.org/ International Paralympic Committee]

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