In July 2007, Sochi (Russia) was elected to be the host city of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The election took place during the 119th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Guatemala City, Guatemala. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President and IOC member Sir Philip Craven, IPC Vice President and member of the IOC 2014 Evaluation Commission Miguel Sagarra and IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez were amongst the attendees.

Said Sir Philip: "During this election process today, we saw excellent presentations of all bid cities, including high quality content about the Paralympic Games. I want to congratulate Sochi winning this election but I am sure Salzburg and Pyeong Chang would have also organized great Paralympic Games.”

The aim of Sochi 2014 is to stage unique Paralympic Winter Games and further strengthen and promote the Paralympic Movement by providing excellent conditions for athletes to compete, delivering a high level of accessibility and maximizing media coverage.

Other candidate cities competing for the right to host the 2014 Games were Salzburg (Austria) and Pyeong Chang (Korea)*. 

*Cities are listed in order of drawing of lots.