International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven, Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak and Sochi 2014 president Dmitry Chernyshenko called Sochi the "greatest Paralympics ever."
The trio of leaders spoke at the Main Press Center in Sochi about eight hours prior to the Paralympic Games closing ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
Describing the nine days of competition in Sochi, Craven said, "I want to use the word amazing, and whether or not I’ll use that word tonight, I’m searching for something a little ahead of amazing."
"We’ve had a fantastic time here, these games have been transformational in so many ways," Craven added.
Craven announced that Kozak, in recognition of Russia’s efforts over the last seven years, will deliver the closing speech of the Games. That honor is usually reserved for the president of the Organizing Committee. Sochi 2014 president Chernyshenko spoke at the opening ceremony.
"He has been responsible for the creation of a barrier-free Games infrastructure here in Sochi and will lead the roll out of the barrier-free philosophy across Russia post Games," Craven said of Kozak.
"This could be one of the greatest legacies of Sochi 2014."
Kozak added: "We have been working very hard for seven years and more than 500,000 jobs were created and supported in preparation for these Games. The Sochi 2014 Games broke records and set a new bar for other sporting, public and social events.
"The result of these Games will be to continue to improve life for people with an impairment in our country," Kozak said.
Kozak was askedwhether he believed Russia’s occupation in Crimea and the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine detracted from the Paralympics.
"I don’t think that today is the time and place to discuss political events," Kozak responded. "Regarding the events in Ukraine, we are really sorry that these have impacted the Paralympics. At the same time, I want to thank the Ukraine team for participating and staying with us until the end of these Games."
Chernyshenko was asked what the intangible legacy of the Paralympic and Olympic Games would be.
TheSochi 2014 chief first cited the development of the Russia’s first environmentally friendly construction standard. The creation of volunteerism as a culture in Russia, was the second part. And finally, Chernyshenko mentioned the barrier-free environment in Sochi becoming a blueprint for the entire country.
Chernyshenko noted that a record 322,000 tickets were sold, 92,000 more than in Vancouver 2010.
He said more than 2,000 representatives of the media including broadcasters from 38 countries covered the Games. He is expecting more than two billion television viewers to watch the closing ceremony.
Chernynshnko said it was a major accomplishment that the gold medal sledge hockey finale between Russia and the United States was shown live on the NBC network, although he initially slipped up saying "Russia and Canada" provoking polite laughter from the media, before correcting himself.
Craven reiterated that these will be his last Winter Paralympics, he spoke of the high bar that Sochi set for future host cities, turning an eye to PyeongChang 2018.
"Sochi has put the gauntlet down for PyeongChang, now they have to pick it up and run with it," Craven said.
Regarding tonight’s closing ceremony, Craven said: "It will be a celebration of the Games, not a closing."
Written by Brian Pinelli in Sochi
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