(VOVworld) – Russia held the closing ceremony of the Sochi Winter Paralympic Games at Fischt Stadium in Sochi city on Sunday. Russia finished first with 30 gold medals. Germany and Canada finished a distant 2^nd and 3^rd with 9 and 7 gold, respectively.

Russia tops field with 30 gold medals. (Photo: RIA Novosti)

The ceremony began with a performance called “Reaching the impossible”. This is also the message the event directors and organizing board want to convey to athletes, spectators, and others around the world. Hundreds of artists took part in the imposing and touching performance honoring the moral strength, courage, and aspiration of the athletes. Juice D Lee, Mayor of Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea, received the flag of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the next host in 2018. Russian President Vladimir Putin and IPC Chairman Philip Craven attended the closing ceremony.