The Victory Ceremonies are critical events in the lives of the athletes. The training involved in becoming an Olympic medal winner takes several years, and being presented with a medal on the podium is the climax of a long path to the top.
Victory Ceremonies are held after the finals of each event. Important members of the IOC and international federations take part in the ceremonies. The athletes are awarded with flowers and medals, the national flags are raised, and the national anthem of the gold medal winner is played.
There is a special feature of the Winter Olympic Games. Victory Ceremonies can be held not only at the venue immediately after the event, but also at the special Medals Plaza. At the Games in Sochi this plaza will be located in the center of the Olympic Park. If the ceremony is to be held at the Medals Plaza, the athletes receive flowers at the sports venue, but the other elements of the ceremony are carried out at the Medals Plaza.