Sochi Paralympics Closing From "impossible" to "I'm possible"

    

 

The Sochi Paralympic Games closed on March 16.

The closing ceremony took place at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, featuring a parade of flag bearers from the 45 participating nations. Japan's flag bearer was Ryo Kano, who won two gold medals in men's alpine skiing, receiving loud cheers from the audience. Japan won a total of 6 medals: 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze. While falling short of their goal of 10 medals, their gold medal count tied for the most ever by a Japanese team at an overseas Winter Games. In the overall medal count, host nation Russia topped the podium with a record 30 gold, 28 silver, and 22 bronze medals for a total of 80.

  

At the ceremony's opening, a large display of the word "impossible" transformed into "I'm possible" as parts of the letters moved. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozakh, speaking on behalf of host nation Russia, reflected on the Games: "We were able to believe once again that 'the impossible can be made possible.'"

At the summary press conference held the same day, the commercial success was emphasized. Over 310,000 tickets were sold, the highest number in Winter Games history, with spectator seats at each venue nearly full every day. Sponsor revenue also reached a record high. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Philip Craven also praised it as "a wonderful Games." On the 13th, during the Games, Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee President Yoshiro Mori met with President Craven. Mori conveyed their commitment: "For the 2020 Games, we aim for the Paralympics to succeed as a sporting event equal to the Olympics."

As the flame in the cauldron was extinguished, the approximately five-week sports festival spanning the Olympics and Paralympics came to a close. The next Winter Games will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea, in 2018.

(Photo by Fort Kishimoto)