The Australian winter Paralympic Team will wear black armbands in Friday night's opening ceremony to remember Matthew Robinson.
Robinson, a snowboarder on the national squad and world No.1 in his class, died last month after suffering serious neck and spinal injuries in a race crash in Spain.
Australia's alpine skiers donned armbands in Robinson's favourite colour of sky blue at last week's IPC World Cup finals in Tarvisio, Italy.
But this time the squad's nine athletes, two sighted guides, coaches, medical and administration staff will wear traditional black over their opening ceremony uniforms at Sochi's Fisht Stadium.
The Games' organisers had suggested a minute's silence before March 14's snowboarding event as a way to pay tribute to Robinson as a world-class and immensely popular athlete.
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But Chef de Mission Chris Nunn said the offer was declined.
"Because as well-intentioned as it was, we felt it wasn't fair to the athletes to have to go through that and then have to race," Nunn said.
Snowboard cross is making its Paralympic debut in Sochi.
Robinson's disability class isn't included in the program, but the 28-year-old had developed a close bond with Australia's three snowboarders Trent Milton, Joany Badenhorst and 14-year-old Ben Tudhope.
"Matt was our first ever Para-snowboard athlete over three years ago and we started the program together. After that, he became a role model and a mentor," Higgins said.
"He inspired everybody to new heights in every way. He overcame significant physical disabilities and still managed to get himself to the world No.1 ranking for his class.
"He trained his butt off and rode his butt off. We are so very proud of him."
Milton, Badenhorst and Tudhope have sent messages to Robinson's family to be read out at his funeral, which is being held in Perth on Friday.
The Sochi Paralympic Games run March 7-16.
