Sochi Airport

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in a reception that was held in Kremlin to celebrate the success of the Russian Paralympic team at the Beijing Paralympics, declared that the Paralympic Games is one of the best sporting concepts of the twentieth century.

Having bagged a total of 18 gold, 23 silver and 22 bronze medals at various events this year; the athletes did fare much better than they did at Athens in 2004. While only 61 athletes participated in Athens, the strength of the Russian team in Beijing was a remarkable 145.

President Dmitry, who incidentally is also the head of the Presidential Council for Sochi 2014 and Paralympics Winter Games, believes that they would definitely inspire thousands of physically challenged individuals across the country.

The athletes of the Beijing Olympics were joined by the president for a photography session to honor the occassion, sealing the spectacular event in history.