Putin Addresses Russia’s National Olympic Team - Words of Encouragement for the Embattled Athletes
"To focus on the sports competitions and not to think about the negative things which accompanied the preparation for the Olympics". Vladimir Putin used these words to address our country's national team, which is headed to the Winter Games in Korea. 169 athletes were allowed to compete. These are those who passed biased anti-doping checks. Due to the sanctions imposed by the IOC, the national team is forced to compete as independent Olympians under the Olympic flag. But the word "Russia" is present on the uniform of our team. The President promised that the country will defend the rights of its athletes and will support those who weren’t allowed to go to Pyeongchang.
Pavel Zarubin will talk about the pre-start moods and hopes.
Alyona Zavarzina, Olympic snowboarding bronze medalist: "We’ll continue to fight, and we’ll do our best to bring home the medals that we deserve. I want us to show what we’re made of."
Alyona Zavarzina didn't cry even after receiving a medal in Sochi, but today she's having a hard time holding back the tears. These aren’t tears of weakness, on the contrary, they are ones of concern for friends that were unfairly banned from going to the Olympics. United, they assure that they'll fight even harder. Russian Olympians came to the meeting with the president wearing T-shirts with an inscription that says everything.
"Russia is in our hearts, in the hearts of each one of us".
Ilya Kovalchuk, Olympic hockey bronze medalist: "They took away our flag and anthem. But Russia is still in our hearts. I think it’ll be great if all of Russia feels this and supports us".
"We're determined to fight and win".
Russia, the President says, will hold a substantive discussion with international organizations about what happened around the Olympics, because even those who’ve never had any problems weren’t allowed to participate because of "a set of circumstances unrelated to doping".
President Putin: "What are we fighting against then? Doping or something else? We’d like to know what it is. We really hope that our colleagues in international sports organizations will do everything to make sure these organizations don’t become departments of certain countries’ government bodies, no matter how powerful and influential these countries seem at first glance. But if modern international sports and the Olympic movement lose the main essence of what sports are about — something that unites countries and peoples — the appeal 'Oh Sport, You Are Peace!' will lose its meaning."
169 Russian athletes are going to the Olympics. It's under difficult circumstances, but their fighting spirit and our common support, in spite of everything, will undoubtedly change everything. A lot of very ticked off athletes. That's what IOC officials got with their decision.
Sofia Prosvirnova, four-time European short track champion: "Today I went to training, to weight training, I sat down with a barbell, and I was so angry. I’d never lifted so much before, 102 kilograms! And I was so angry that I stood up and I was ready to kick some ass!”
Emina Malagic, two-time European short track champion: "We're ready to take on anyone. We have a relay team, and we’re very happy about this chance".
Ekaterina Efremenkova, European short track champion: "I try not to go online, not to read the news. There’s a lot of negative things there about the athletes who are going".
Alyona Zavarzina, snowboarding champion: "I'd like to ask for some respect for how we feel about this. Just let us get things going without saying anything unnecessary".
President Putin: "But it becomes twice as difficult when sports get mixed with external events, phenomena, circumstances, politics or other things that have nothing to do with it. And it becomes three times harder when the public in a country — our country in this case — has very mixed and complex attitudes, sometimes completely opposite opinions on the matter. This creates a very tough environment for achieving results. Please forgive us for not being able to protect you from this".
The overwhelming majority of Russians support athletes who are going to the Olympics. On the Olympians' social network pages, there are millions of messages wishing luck and victory. And it was so important, say the athletes, to hear what the President said.
Alexei Zaitsev, European Bobsleigh Championship silver medalist: "It encourages us to fight even more when we go to Korea and to achieve great results. It inspires confidence and gives strength".
Anastasiya Kocherzhova, European Bobsleigh Championship silver medalist: "Now, it’s a bit easier, it became easier after the President gave such inspiration — we believe in ourselves".
In South Korea, the Sports House, organized by the Olympic support fund, will be opened. In it, fans from all over the world will be able to meet with Russian athletes and watch live Olympic broadcasts.
Roman Repilov, three-time World Luge Championships prize-winner: "We must prove to all of them that we're Russians, we're strong, and we won't cave in!"
Pavel Datsyuk, Olympic hockey bronze medalist: "Mr. President, you, as captain of our country, we want to present you with a sweater that all the players of our national team signed. It says, "Russia is in My Heart."
- What does it say?
- It says: "Thank you for everything you do for us, Russia's in our hearts".
Some of the athletes are leaving today. Vic Wild seems to be ready to jump on his snowboard right now, here at the presidential residence, he changes his shoes. He’s also wearing a gray uniform approved by the International Olympic Committee. No national symbols are allowed. Many pairs and teams were separated by the decision, as some were allowed to go while others weren't.
Roman Repilov: "They’re mocking us. It’s a hit in the back, and we need to turn around and answer twice as strong".
Russia won’t forget about its athletes, who have been treated unjustly, and will definitely support them.
President Putin: We'll conduct competitions, pay bonuses to them, as if they participated in the Games, and do everything the same way. Apart from this, we'll provide contracts for the leading athletes.
- That's really great. It's important to support them morally.
President Putin: Of course. Both morally and financially.
- Some of our athletes are really down about this.
President Putin: We'll deal with each one of them individually and help everyone.
- That's really great, thank you, thank you very much.
All those who are flying to Pyeongchang were advised by Putin to concentrate as much as possible.
President Putin: "You need to focus on results and on winning. Everything that happens around sports and around our athletes shouldn't distract you. All of you are used to putting up fights and know how to do it. You need to compose yourselves. One more thing. There is an old song dating back to Soviet times: "For myself and that other guy." Keep this in mind, and you will succeed. As always, the eyes of hundreds of millions of fans are upon you, fans that love you and hope for your victory. I sincerely wish you victory and good luck. All the best to you".
- They say that the ones who shake hands with the President bring medals. I'll do my best.
President Putin: Good luck!
- Thank you!
A final meeting along with a photo shoot, as the Russian Olympic team leaves for South Korea. The whole country will be cheering on our athletes.
Pavel Zarubin, Andrei Melnikov, Sergey Rubanov, Dmitry Yermolenko, and Alexandra Terpugova, Vesti