Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak during a presentation of the final stage of the preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, November 28, 2013. REUTERS/Aleksey Nikolskyi/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - The Sochi Olympics were successful in "breaking the ice of scepticism" surrounding hosts Russia, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said on Saturday, a day ahead of the Winter Games closing ceremony.
Russia's human rights record had been called into question in the build-up to the Games following the arrest and jailing of several high-profile dissidents, while critics said the country's anti-gay propaganda law curbed the rights of homosexuals.
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