2014 Sochi Winter Paralympic Games in Russia
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Aug 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Learn about the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympic Games in Russia, the eleventh Paralympic Winter Games, including dates, host city, venues, and event background.
At a Glance
- 1 - The 2014 Games marked the first time Russia had hosted the Paralympics.
- 2 - Sochi is a multicultural city of 400,000 people representing more than 100 nationalities.
- 3 - The Alpine sports venues sat about an hour from central Sochi around Krasnaya Polyana in the Caucasus Mountains.
- 4 - Sochi was elected host city on July 4, 2007, during the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Topic Definition
- 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics
The 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics were the eleventh edition of the Paralympic Winter Games, a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities held in Sochi, Russia, from March 7 to March 16, 2014 under the governance of the International Paralympic Committee. Staged shortly after the 2014 Winter Olympics in the same host city, the games unfolded across both the coastal city on the Black Sea and the mountain venues around Krasnaya Polyana in the Caucasus, roughly an hour inland. They held particular significance as the first Paralympic Games ever hosted by Russia, and preparations included large investments in transport and railway infrastructure to move athletes and spectators between the coastal and mountain clusters. Beyond the sport itself, the Sochi 2014 organizers framed the games as a chance to showcase Russian culture and leave a lasting legacy for the Paralympic movement.
Overview
The 2014 Winter Paralympics, the eleventh Paralympic Winter Games, and also more generally known as the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, were a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), held in Sochi, Russia from 7-16 March 2014.
The 2014 Winter Olympics were held in both the city of Sochi and the mountains, one hour's drive away. Set between the golden shores of the Black Sea and the soaring snow-capped Caucasus Mountains, Sochi offers visitors a unique taste of coastal and mountain living, all with a distinct Russian flavor. Sochi is a treasure among winter sport enthusiasts, who return every year to explore its pristine alpine valleys and skiing trails.
Sochi is a multicultural city of 400,000 inhabitants, representing more than 100 nationalities. Often referred to as the Russian Riviera, Sochi has a rich heritage as the nation's major Black Sea port city, resort destination and a prominent cultural center.
The Alpine sports venues are located about an hour from the center of Sochi around Krasnaya Polyana. Currently, they are linked by a single two-lane road with several tunnels, but soon a superhighway will cut the journey time and the railway will take the strain.
The host city, Sochi, Russia, was elected on July 4, 2007, during the 119th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Guatemala City, Guatemala. 2014 will be the first time Russia has hosted the Paralympics.
The composition of the Sochi 2014 Management, its regulations as well as the composition of the Supervisory Board were approved by the Presidential Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sport, Excellence in Sports, and the Preparation and Execution of the 2014 XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games.
The dates for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games were:
- XXII Olympic Winter Games - Friday 7, February 2014 - Sunday, 23 February 2014
- XI Paralympic Winter Games - Friday, 7 March 2014 - Sunday, 16 March 2014
Even before Russia hosts its first-ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Sochi 2014 helped to open up the country's culture, etiquette, and business practices.
More than 150 IOC specialists and international experts specializing in intercultural collaboration met at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) staged a special seminar on the history and culture of the nation hosting the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The President and CEO of Sochi 2014, Dmitry Chernyshenko, presented a detailed report about all activities the Organizing Committee undertook in 2008, he also spoke about plans and key projects that will be implemented in 2009. In his speech, he said:
"During the first year of the Organizing Committee's work we not only followed all the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), based on the experience of the previous Games, but also developed and implemented innovative solutions that will lead to an unprecedented legacy for the Olympic Movement. We have already commenced work on Sochi 2014's 36 functional areas, and in 2009 we will launch 300 new projects. This exceeds the IOC's expectations."
During the meeting, Dmitry Mosin, the Sochi 2014 Vice President of strategic development, spoke about Sochi's unique geographic and cultural nuances, the corporate culture of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and the project management structure for Russia's national priority project. These type of seminars allow Sochi 2014 to build stronger bonds with the members of the Olympic Movement and help Winter Games organizers to answer questions about Russia and dispel some myths about the world's largest country.
Over 4 km of new Olympic railway line are now in operation between the Matsesta and Khosta districts of Sochi. A further 3.2 km of line is due to be constructed during 2009 on the route, which will run 127 suburban trains per day during the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games - equating to one every 6-8 minutes.
The Olympic line forms part of a program of railway infrastructure reinforcement across Sochi - between the areas of Tuapse and Adler. A 15 billion ruble investment (over US$458 million), it will bring greatly enhanced passenger and cargo capacity by 2011, three years before Sochi 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports were held at the Sochi Winter Paralympics
The Winter Paralympics feature snow and ice sports such as alpine skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling adapted for athletes with disabilities.
How often are the Winter Paralympic Games held
The Winter Paralympic Games are held every four years, following the Winter Olympics in the same host city and year.
Where is Sochi located
Sochi is a Russian resort city set along the Black Sea coast near the Caucasus Mountains, giving it both coastal and mountain settings.
How do athletes qualify for the Winter Paralympics
Athletes qualify through world rankings, designated qualification events, and eligibility criteria set by each sport and confirmed by their national committees.
What is sledge hockey
Sledge hockey, also called para ice hockey, is a fast paced adaptation of ice hockey in which players sit on sledges and use two shortened sticks.
Why was hosting the games important for Russia
The 2014 games were the first Paralympics held in Russia, offering a chance to showcase the country and invest in lasting sports and transport infrastructure.
How are the coastal and mountain venues connected
The two clusters were linked by road and rail improvements built to move athletes and spectators quickly between the seaside city and the mountain venues.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
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