Sochi Olympic Games end in festive mood
Host Russia dominated the medal standings, followed by Norway and Canada
Performers make the shape of the Olympic Rings during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium (Getty Images/Matthew Stockman)
For the past 17 days, Sochi was the winter sport capital of the world. With new champions crowned, records broken and traditional hegemonies maintained, this Sunday the Russian city closed the 22nd edition of the Winter Olympic Games in style and passed the baton to Pyeongchang, South Korea, host city of the 2018 Games.
The Closing Ceremony, held in Fisht Olympic Stadium, was marked by beautiful pageantry and the excitement of the athletes, stars of the dramatic displays on snow and ice during the competition. The Sochi Games gathered 2,500 athletes from about 80 countries, who competed in 15 sports.
The Rio 2016 Committee followed the event closely and, through the Observers Programme, sent a team to the Russian city with the mission of acquiring experience for use in the preparations for the Rio 2016 Games.
Host Russia led the medal standings collecting 13 gols, 11 silvers and nine bronzes. Norway won 11 golds, five silvers and 10 bronzes, while Canada earned 10 golds, 10 silves and five bronzes.
From 7 March, it will be time for the Paralympic Games to rock Sochi. A total of 1,650 athletes from 44 countries will compete in five sports: biathlon, wheelchair curling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and ice sledge hockey. (Find out more about winter sports)
Check out the best moments of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games below
