Russia, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, has fulfilled every pledge made by President Putin when he successfully bid for the Olympics in 2007 and promised a "really spectacular event".

Russia, shut out of top 10 with only three golds at last Games, proudly perched atop this time, having garnered 33 medals including 13 golds.

About one fourth of Russia's golds came from former South Korean Victor An, who won Russian hearts by sweeping three golds and one bronze to be the most successful athlete in Sochi.

An now has eight Olympic medals in total after also winning three golds and a bronze for South Korea in 2006.

Norway, spearheaded by Marit Bjergen and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, came second overall with a 11-5-10 haul.

Bjoergen, 33, won a record sixth gold in the women's 30km mass start, equalling the record of Soviet speed skater Lidia Skoblikova and Russian cross country skier Lyubov Yegorova in taking six golds at Winter Olympics, the most by any woman.

Bjoerndalen became the greatest Winter Olympian in history by taking a record 13th medal. His eight winter Olympic golds tied compatriot Bjoern Daehlie's record.

Canada ranked third overall on its 10th gold from the 3-0 ice hockey victory over Sweden. It also swept two curling titles.

The United States was fourth with eight golds from snow and one from ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, followed by the Netherlands with eight golds, all from speed skaters who won 23 of the 36 medals on offer and taking a medal in all 12 events.