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The Sochi Paralympics have been a "mindblowing" event and exceeded all expectations, International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven said Saturday.

With one day to go until the closing ceremony, Russia is dominating the medal table at its first home Paralympics and on Saturday broke the record for most medals won at a single Winter Paralympics.

"The Games have been absolutely mindblowing in terms of their impact, far beyond what the Paralympic movement expected when coming here," Craven said in a statement.

"They have been a spectacular showcase of sport and the power of the human spirit. Not only have the athletic performances been first class, but so has the organization, which has been seamless."

Record Winter Paralympic ticket sales of 316,200 show a "significant growth in popularity" for the Games, he said, adding praise for the "unbelievable atmosphere" at sledge hockey games featuring the Russian team.

Craven singled out Russian cross-country skier and biathlete Roman Petushkov as a hero of the Games after he won six gold medals. Petushkov can win a seventh Sunday, which would match the record for gold medals won at a single Winter Paralympics.

"He's unbeaten so far and he firmly established himself as a national hero, winning six golds from six events," Craven said. "He is a quite remarkable athlete."

Craven lauded German skier Andrea Eskau as a "beacon of fair play" after she forfeited her bronze medal in the women's 1km sitting cross-country sprint when she felt she had unfairly impeded a fellow competitor.