Vic Wild knows snowboarding fans back in his home country are split about his fantastic success at the Sochi Olympics.

      In an interview to Sovetsky Sport, he said he was about to finish his sporting career and apply for a college to become an architect.

      But Wild was warmly received by the Russian team. A national team in Russia is a family, he was quoted as saying. “The doctor of the ice hockey team worked on my shin, the doctor of the figure skating team helped with my back,” he explained.

      He also praised Denis Tikhomirov, the chief coach of the Russian snowboarding team, who earlier expressed surprise with the stirring performance of the US-born athlete.

      According to him, he didn’t pay too much attention to the boy at first because of his low ranking, but this is all about perspiration, Tikhomirov added.

      Wild won by a tenth of second in men's snowboard parallel slalom at Rosa Khutor’s Extreme Park and earlier he finished first in men’s parallel giant slalom.

      Wild got Russian citizenship after marrying Alyona Zavarzina, a snowboarder who won bronze in Sochi. He wasn’t considered a promising star back home, but proved that love can be a great inspiration. You can read about the couple on our Hall of Fame page at Russia-IC.

      Russia tops the total medal count, with 11 gold, 10 silver and 8 bronze medals, matching the results of the Soviet Union at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games.

      Russia needs to win one more medal, Team Russia would set a historic record for the nation’s appearance in Winter Olympic Games.

      For more news on the Sochi Olympics, use our search button in the top right corner. If you have any pictures from the events, we would be happy to post them on our website and Facebook account. Don't forget to check it out for updates.

      If you want to make it to the closing ceremony, you can use Russia-IC services to book your flight and accommodation in Sochi. The Games will be followed by the Paralympics so you still have the time to make the arrangements.