``Impossible is Possible`` as Sochi Paralympics Close

(ATR) The Sochi 2014 Games ended Sunday night with the Paralympic Closing Ceremony,with a theme of the "impossible becomes possible."

In front of a high-profile crowd, including Russia president Vladimir Putin, International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven declared the Sochi 2014 Games "the best Paralympic Winter Games ever."

"I thank you all and say with great pleasure: Sochi 2014 – the best Paralympic Winter Games ever – a Games that showed miracles know no boundaries," Craven proclaimed at Fisht Olympic Stadium.

Craven paid tribute to the nearly 550 athletes from 45 countries who participated in the record-breaking Games

"Proud Paralympians – your inspirational athletic performances have redefined the boundaries of possibility," Craven said.

"You have shown the world that absolutely anything is possible and that life is about amazing capabilities and not perceived deficiencies," he said.

For most of the evening, Craven sat next to Russian Federation president Vladimir Putin, who attended numerous Paralympic events in the days prior, supporting a Russian team that topped the medal count with 80 medals total, including 30 gold.

Prior to Craven’s address, Dmitry Kozak, the government’s chief Sochi 2014 watchdog, delivered the opening speech generating chants of "Ru-si-ya" from the packed stadium.

"Attitudes towards people with impairment have changed among Russian society," Kozak said, speaking in his native Russian. "The Paralympic Games have become a catalyst for our efforts to create a barrier-free environment in Russia."

"The Games are over, but we promise that this important work will continue throughout the country," Kozak said, receiving thunderous applause.

"The main heroes of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are the athletes. Due to their phenomenal coverage and dedication, we have all realized that the major victory in life is victory over ourselves.

"We again believe that for the sake of great goals, the impossible becomes possible," Kozak saidemphatically.

Sochi once again put on a dazzling display for viewers.

The festive and colorful ceremony opened with wheelchair dancers celebrating the spirit of the Paralympians. Highlights of the night included a progressive and abstract Tetris video game, and an amazing feat of strength by Aleksey Chuvashev, who left his wheelchair and ascended a rope 15 meters high. He then placed an apostrophe between the "I" and "M" of "impossible" to spell "I’m possible."

Craven also gave a shout out to the more than 8,000 volunteers that contributed to the success of the Sochi Paralympics saying: "high five to the volunteers"

"Together with the athletes, staff and officials, you really are the Sochi 2014 change makers," Craven said generating riveting applause.

Craven concluded: "Spasiba Sochi, Spasiba Russia, Spasiba the world."

The closing ceremony quickly turned into a DJ party for the volunteers and athletes as the colossal "ice breaker ship," seen at the opening ceremony, once again made an appearance.

The ship moved across the Fisht Olympic Stadium floor past a giant word "impossible" as the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games drew to a close.

Brian Pinelli in Sochi.