In summary, the country's participants earned 14 medals: two gold, five silver, and seven bronze. The gold-medal tally of three was the worst ever result for Russia since the breakup of the Soviet Union, whilst the total of 14 medals was the country's second lowest score since the 2002 Winter Games. This was seen as a national humiliation considering that Russia was to host the next Winter Games at Sochi.[2]
According to Dr Maxim Titorenko, a Russian psychoanalyst and anthropologist,"the reasons for failures were to a large extent psychological. By receiving advance rewards [from the government] for something they were expected to do in future, the sportsmen lost all psychological incentive for further achievements.”[2] The comparatively poor result generated a "chorus of criticism" in Russia, and PresidentDmitry Medvedev demanded the resignation of Russian Olympic officials and ordered an audit.[3] Corruption, as well as cronyism and apathy of Russian sports managers, was criticized.[4] It was later learned that Russia's performance at the Olympics followed widespread misspending by sports officials and a dysfunctional bureaucracy, according to government auditors. Russia spent $186 million for the games, including preparations. The audit cited dozens of examples of money being wasted, saying the figure ran into millions of dollars.[3]
By contrast, Russia performed well at the Paralympics, also hosted in Vancouver, the following month. This led the media to highlight the contrast between the achievements of the country's Olympic and Paralympic delegations, despite the greater attention awarded to the Olympics.[5]
With Sochi being the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics, a Russian segment was performed at the closing ceremony.
Russia has qualified two entrants in men's singles, two in ladies singles, three in pair skating, and three in ice dancing, for a total of 16 athletes.[7]
