1. The 2014 Paralympic Winter Games kicked off Friday with an opening ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium.
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3. The ceremony was elaborate and involved a lot of moving parts, similar to the ceremony for the Winter Olympics that just ended in Sochi.
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13. There was even an icebreaker ship brought in that was, interestingly, christened "Peace."
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16. Athletes from the United States was there, though the U.S. did not send an official delegation.
17. Ukraine ultimately decided to participate in the games after weighing the benefits of a boycott.
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19. Russian President Vladimir Putin was there to toast with the President of the International Paralympic Committee.
20. Four-time track and field Paralympic champion Aleksey Ashapatov of Russia was honored at the torch lighting.
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