“It is testament to all of his work that the IPC Governing Board was unanimous in approving this special exception in protocol for Deputy Prime Minister Kozak to speak at the Closing Ceremony.”

In recognition of Russia’s work over the last seven years in supporting the Paralympic Movement, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak will give a speech at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony on behalf of the Organising Committee.

IPC protocol states that the Closing Ceremony speech should be given by the head of the Organising Committee, Dimitry Chernyshenko, who spoke at the Opening Ceremony on 7 March.

However, after playing a key role in the organisation of the Paralympic Winter Games and following a request from the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee for Kozak to speak on their behalf, the IPC has agreed to the change.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, who will also speak at the Closing Ceremony, said: “Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak has been a huge champion of the Paralympic Winter Games ever since Sochi won the bid in 2007.

“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. This could be one of the greatest legacies of Sochi 2014.

“There are few others doing more in Russia to change the attitudes and perceptions towards people with an impairment than Deputy Prime Minister Kozak. He is the leading the way in helping to raise public awareness and contributing to maintaining positive change, a change that could take years to achieve due to the sheer size of this country.

“Throughout the last seven years he has constantly stressed the importance of the Paralympic Winter Games and has been a significant help to the IPC, the Russian Paralympic Committee and the Sochi Organising Committee in helping to raise the profile of this event.

“It is testament to all of his work that the IPC Governing Board was unanimous in approving this special exception in protocol for Deputy Prime Minister Kozak to speak at the Closing Ceremony.”

Kozak said: “We have been working very hard for seven years, and more than 500,000 jobs were created and supported in preparation of these Games. The Sochi 2014 Games broke records and set a new bar for other sporting, public and social events. The huge demand of tickets for these Paralympics was the result of all of our preparations.

“The result of these Games will be to continue to improve life for people with an impairment in our country.”

Chernshenko, President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee said: “The monumental change that these Games have already delivered was only possible because we have always enjoyed the full support of Government.

“In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister Kozak has been the Paralympic Games’ greatest advocate and has made a real difference to significantly improve the lives of people with an impairment across Russia. I am delighted he will have the much deserved honour of helping to close the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.”

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games opened on 7 March and have featured 547 athletes from 45 countries competing in 72 medal events. They will close on Sunday (16 March).