The host nation Russia has finished on the top of the medals table with 13 golds, a result few in the country would have dared to predict ahead of the Games in Sochi.
On a glorious final day for the hosts, Russia's cross country skiers led by Alexander Legkov recorded a stunning clean sweep in the blue riband 50km mass start, while Alexander Zubkov piloted Russia to gold in the four-man bobsleigh.
Their haul of 13 gold, 11 silver and nine bronze medal represented an astonishing turnaround from the debacle of Vancouver four years ago when they won just three gold medals.
Russia's success was praised at the Closing Ceremony by the IOC president Thomas Bach, who said the Games had set records in competitor numbers, medals awarded and the quality of venues.
In one of the final events of the Games, Canada beat Sweden 3-0 to retain their Olympic men's ice hockey title, confirming their status as the sport's undisputed superpower.
