Russia will welcome the sporting world back to Sochi this evening for the Winter Paralympics opening ceremony. Less than a fortnight after the Winter Olympics ended, 575 athletes from 45 countries will compete for 72 gold medals in five sports over 10 days. This is the largest number of athletes and countries to take part in the event since it was first held in 1976.The Games, opened by Russian president Vladimir Putin, will begin amid an escalating political crisis in Ukraine.A number of the world's politicians have said they will snub the showpiece event following Russian intervention in Crimea, situated just 300 miles from Sochi.Ukraine, one of the most successful Paralympic nations, is also contemplating a boycott of the event. The president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee made an emotional plea for peace on the eve of the opening ceremony as he explained how concerned his 23 athletes were about the situation back home. Ukraine will make a decision on participation before the opening ceremony .