The Paralympic Games – in pictures

Witold Skupien of Poland competes in the 4 x 2.5km open relay cross-country Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Russian athletes roll past the stones during the gold medal wheelchair curling game against Canada Photograph: Alexander Demianchuk/Reuters

The start of the men's 10km - standing cross-country skiing on day nine Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Roman Petushkov of Russia poses with his enormous haul of six gold medals won at the Laura cross-country ski and biathlon center Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Best of Paraylmpics: Best of Paraylmpics

Tyler Walker (USA) crashes during the Alpine Skiing Downhill event Photograph: Marcus Hartmann/ Marcus Hartmann/Demotix/Corbis

Jade Etherington of Great Britain comes to a stop at the end of the course in the women's downhill - visually impaired Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Canadian curling fans look on in trepidation as their team take on Russia Photograph: Smirnov Vladimir/ Smirnov Vladimir/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis

Russian soldier looks at a Russian flag during a medal ceremony Photograph: Alexander Demianchuk/Reuters

USA take on Korea in the preliminary group B round of the ice sledge hockey Photograph: Harry Engels/Getty Images

Gold medallists Kelly Gallagher of Great Britain and guide Charlotte Evans celebrate during the medal ceremony for the women's Super-G - visually impaired Photograph: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Oleg Ponomarev of Russia warms up ahead of the men's 20km standing cross-country skiing Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Azat Karachurin of Russia approaches the finish line to win gold medal in the men's biathlon 12.5km - standing Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

A multiple exposure of the wheelchair curling during the round robin session 7 during day four Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

A competitor shoots through heavy fog in the women's 10km - sitting biathlon Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Athletes train during the cross-country on day five Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Bronze medalist Vladislav Lekomtcev of Russia (front) in action during the cross-country men's 1km sprint standing competition Photograph: Valdrin Xhemaj/EPA

Gregor Ewan of Great Britain looks on during the wheelchair curling round robin session 9 Photograph: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Nikolai Shuvalov of Russia competes in the men's slalom - sitting Photograph: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Gold medalist Alexey Bugaev, right, of Russia and silver medalist Vincent Gauthier-Manuel of France celebrate on the podium during the flower ceremony for the men's alpine skiing slalom standing Photograph: Vassil Donev/EPA

Best of Paraylmpics: **BESTPIX** 2014 Paralympic Winter Games - Day 2

Francesca Porcellato of Italy enters the tunnel during the women's 12km sitting cross-country skiing Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images